Snorkeler from Canada Pulled Unresponsive From Honolua Bay

UPDATE: (11:04 a.m. 8.17.17) Maui police have since identified the victim as William Torrie, 58, of Alberta, Canada. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.

A 58-year-old man from Alberta, Canada was pulled from the ocean at Honolua Bay on Wednesday afternoon. The incident was reported at around 2:18 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017.

File image: Honolua Bay. Photo: Nick Ricca. Maui Now graphic.

Fire officials say the man was snorkeling with family members when he was found unresponsive and was brought to a rocky area of the bay.

According to department reports, someone on an anchored sailboat nearby heard the cries for help and came to the man’s aid with a small dinghy. The victim was then loaded onto the dinghy and brought to the beach area where bystanders assisted in performing CPR.

Responding lifeguards arrived at 2:28 a.m. aboard a rescue watercraft and took over CPR until paramedics and fire personnel could reach the victim via a long dirt trail.

Despite all life-saving efforts, the man could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lifeguards from DT Fleming Beach Park and firefighters from Lahaina responded to the incident.