A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Hawaii when a 59-year-old woman from California lost her life while swimming. Stacy Coon, a resident of Oroville in Butte County, was enjoying a day at Whittington Beach Park on the Big Island when she encountered difficulties in the water on Sunday afternoon.
Witnesses reported that Coon was swimming about 40 yards from the shore when she began to struggle and called out for help. Several bystanders rushed to her aid and managed to bring her back to the beach. They immediately started performing CPR in an effort to resuscitate her, but unfortunately, she remained unresponsive.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 2:40 p.m. and transported Coon to Ka‘ū Hospital, located about 10 miles away. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The police are currently treating her death as a possible drowning, and an autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause.
Whittington Beach Park is known for its challenging water conditions, and while there are warning signs along the shore, there are no lifeguards on duty. Local residents have expressed concern about the dangers of swimming in the area. One local shared their experience, noting that they had witnessed numerous rescues at the beach over the years and emphasized the importance of heeding safety warnings.
Just two days prior to her death, Coon had visited Ho‘okena Beach Park, a location recognized for its calm waters and excellent snorkeling. It remains unclear if she was traveling alone during her time in Hawaii. This incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with swimming in unfamiliar waters, especially in areas known for rough surf.