Snorkeler Dies After Collapsing in Kāʻanapali

File photo, MPD.

By Wendy Osher

A 61-year-old man from California died after becoming caught in a strong current off of Kāʻanapali shortly before noon on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014.

Maui police have since identified the man as Michael J. Loughran of Napa, and have classified the incident as a miscellaneous accident.

According to police, an investigation revealed that the victim was snorkeling in front of the Kāʻanapali Beach Club when he became caught in a strong current.

He was attempting to swim back to shore, but, was having difficulty breathing and held on to a buoy until a kayaker brought the victim to shore, said Maui Police Lieutenant William Juan.

According to Lt. Juan, the victim collapsed a short time later and was unresponsive.

Responding police arrived on scene to find Medics and personnel from the Maui Fire Department already conducting CPR on the victim.

Police say the man died at the scene.  The cause of death has not been determined and is pending autopsy results.