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North Hilo drowning 05-30-09

Hawai’i Police Department
North Hilo District
Sergeant Greg Yamada
Phone: 962-2120
May 30, 2009
Report No. C09016097

Media Release

A man apparently drowned Saturday (May 30) at Laup�?hoehoe Point Park.

North Hilo officers and Hawai’i Fire Department personnel responded to a 10 a.m. report of a diver in distress in waters off Laup�?hoehoe Point Park.

Upon arrival, the victim, identified as 59-year-old Fredrick Perez of Hilo, was unresponsive. Perez had been diving with four companions and had difficulty shortly after entering the water. He had gone limp under water and had to be pulled onto shore by his companions and bystanders.

The Fire Department administered aid at the scene and then took Perez to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and are awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death.