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Fourth drowning this month reported on Kauai

A tourist apparently drowned in Poipu Tuesday afternoon, the fourth drowning this month on Kauai.

County officials identified the victim as Jake Jelinek, 74, of Arvada, Colorado. 

Shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jelinek was swimming off Keoneloa Bay, also known as Shipwrecks, when he started struggling in large waves. Police said he struck his head on the reef. 

A family member swam out after seeing Jelinek floating face down in the water. Police said the family member and bystanders brought him to shore and performed CPR until fire personnel arrived. 

Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. An ambulance crew took him to Wilcox Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Life Bridges, a grief counseling service, is assisting the Jelinek’s family. 

Two visitors apparently drowned in two separate incidents on Kauai over the weekend.

At about 3:40 p.m. Sunday,  David Deville, 48, of Arizona was snorkeling off Mahaulepu Beach in Poipu when he began showing signs of distress, police said.

Two  people brought him to shore where fellow beachgoers including a retired lifeguard and an offduty nurse administered CPR.

Firefighters arrived and continued CPR until medics arrived. Police said he was transported to Wilcox Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after.

At about 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Michael Stone, 72, of Boston, was observed swimming about 30 yards offshore  of Plantation Hale Suites in Wailua.

Police said he appeared to be in distress and signaled for help when Stone’s friend and another person responded and brought him to shore.

Firefighters arrived and administered CPR until medics transported him to Wilcox Hospital, where Stone was pronounced dead.

On March 3, lifeguards recovered the body of Travis Beckwith, of Queen’s, New York, in waters off Salt Pond Beach.

An autopsy determined Beckwith drowned.

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