Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a recent South Kona drowning involving a 62-year-old male visitor positively identified as Bryan Coppola of Bethlehem, Connecticut.
On December 26, officers responded to Kona Community Hospital regarding a report of a possible drowning. During their investigation, police learned that a short time earlier Coppola and a family member had been snorkeling at Ho‘okena Beach Park when Coppola showed signs of distress. He was unresponsive when brought to shore. CPR was initiated until Hawai‘i County Fire Department medics arrived. Medics continued CPR while transporting him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
At this time, no foul play is suspected and the investigation remains ongoing.
Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Officer Cody Sheddy of Kona Patrol at cody.sheddy@hawaiipolice.gov.
