Man, 58, dies after falling from boat

Two crabbers failed to wear life jackets when they capsized

A 58-year-old Kaneohe man died yesterday after falling overboard when the inflatable boat he was on capsized near Kahana Bay.

Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said two men were crabbing off Kaaawa in a Zodiac about a half-mile offshore when the boat flipped over and they fell into the water shortly after 1:10 p.m.

He said the men were not wearing the life jackets that they brought with them on the boat.

The two men tried to come ashore using an inflatable flotation device but became separated, and only one man made it, Tejada said.

When the man got to shore, he alerted residents, who called the Fire Department.

Fire rescue personnel retrieved the other man, who was floating face down for at least 15 to 20 minutes, Tejada said.

The man was brought to shore, and fire personnel performed CPR on him.

He was taken in extremely critical condition by ambulance to Kahuku Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The boat, which had filled with water, had righted itself and continued running but had stopped by the time fire crews arrived, Tejada said.

Fire personnel brought the boat to shore.