Hilo Man Dies Days After Trying to Save Son

Police said a 34-year-old Hilo man swept into the ocean off Keaukaha last weekend with his 9-year-old son has died at Hilo Medical Center.

Chris Broussard and his son were snorkeling Sunday in a tide pool in the area of Brown’s Beach of Keokea Point, just west of Onekehakeha Beach Park, when a large wave swept the boy out of the tide pool and into the ocean.

Tide pools at Keokea Point are shown at low tide. Photo by Dave Smith.

Broussard jumped into the ocean in an attempt to save his son. Bystanders were able to pull the child to safety, but Broussard was found floating face down in the water.

He was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he died at 10:10 a.m. Thursday.

Police have classified the case as a fatal public accident.