A tragic incident unfolded at Waiapua‘a Bay over the weekend when a man died after attempting a water rescue. Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz, 47, bravely entered the surf last Saturday afternoon to assist two children caught in high waves, as reported by the County of Kaua‘i's official news release.
The emergency call was sent out near Shenanigans Bar and Restaurant at around 3:00 p.m., where the swimmer, later identified as Diaz, encountered trouble after securing the safety of the children. First responders, including teams from the Ocean Safety Bureau and Barking Sands Fire and Emergency Services Department, rushed to the bay to find Diaz in distress, as having been dispatched following the distress signal.
Despite the efforts of the rescue teams who recovered him from the waves and administered lifesaving measures, Diaz's condition declined. He was hurried to the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, where, unfortunately, he did not recover and was pronounced dead, as mentioned in the county's press release.
Diaz served as a Master-at-Arms 1st Class stationed at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, originating from Florida. The local police extended their condolences to the family, saying, "The Kaua‘i Police Department extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz during this difficult time," in the aftermath of the event, as noted by the county's official website. An autopsy to determine Diaz's exact cause of death is pending. Foul play, however, is not suspected at this stage of the investigation.
