Oklahoma Man Dies as Result of Kayaking Accident

Molokaʻi Fatality. Maui Now graphic.

Curtis Quillin, 47, from Seminole, Oklahoma, died on Moloka‘i as a result of a kayaking accident on Jan. 10, 2016.

At about 10:30 a.m., the man and a family member were kayaking fronting 2180 Kamehameha V Highway, when the victim was struck by a wave and fell into the water. The family member attempted to rescue the victim, however, another wave turned her kayak over as well.

The family member was able to locate the victim; however, he was floating face down and unresponsive.

The two kayakers were spotted about a quarter-mile east of One Ali‘i Park on Kamehameha V Highway by a person on shore.

Firefighters from Kaunakakai and Ho‘olehua arrived at 10:47 a.m. and confirmed the witness’s last visual sighting of the kayakers.

A fire department rescue watercraft spotted a female in the water and brought her aboard.

Shortly thereafter, they saw her male companion face down in the surf zone and rescued him.

They were brought to shore at around 11:10 a.m., where CPR was started on the male victim.

Paramedics rushed the man to Moloka‘i General Hospital in critical condition. He was pronounced dead despite lifesaving efforts.

The male and female are visitors staying at a vacation rental beach house near where the accident took place. A witness onshore reported seeing the couple attempt to paddle out beyond the surf break but was knocked off their kayak by higher than normal surf in the two- to three-foot range.

Cause of death is pending autopsy results.