From Hawaii Police Department:
A Big Island man died Saturday after jumping into the Wailuku River in Hilo.
He has been identified as 23-year-old Joseph Tancredi of Hilo.
South Hilo patrol officers responded to a 6:30 p.m. report of a drowning in an area of the river just above Rainbow Falls.
Tancredi’s acquaintances were attempting to revive him with cardiopulmonary resuscitation when officers arrived. He had reportedly jumped into a tide pool about 1/8-mile from the river bank and been held under water by white wash for about two minutes.
Fire Department personnel took him by helicopter to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:17 p.m.
Police do not suspect foul play. They have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Original Story from Sunday, March 18:
Hawaii Fire Department Rescues Swimmer Near Rainbow Falls
Hawaii County Fire and Rescue teams responded to a 6:28 p.m. alarm to rescue a swimmer from the Wailuku River about ½ mile above Rainbow Falls Saturday evening, March 17.
A witness reported the 23 year old male had been submerged for about two minutes, and was pulled out by bystanders. The bystanders initiated CPR. The Hawaii Fire Department helicopter extricated the man from the area using the Billy Pugh net and took him to Hilo Medical Center, where he was transferred to an awaiting medic unit and then to the Emergency Room.
The patient was in critical condition.
