72
A 23-year-old man died over the weekend after jumping into the Wailuku River in Hilo and being held underwater by the force of the water.
Police identified him as Joseph Tancredi of Hilo.
At about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, South Hilo patrol officers responded to a drowning at the river about a half-mile above Rainbow Falls. People with Tancredi administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an attempt to revive him.
Police said Tancredi jumped into a tide pool near the river bank and was held underwater by whitewash for about two minutes.
A Fire Department helicopter took him in critical condition to Hilo Medical Center where he died at 8:17 a.m. Sunday. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
