Graham man dies after kayak capsizes off Hobuck Beach near Neah Bay

NEAH BAY — A volunteer with Heroes on the Water died after his kayak capsized off Hobuck Beach on Thursday morning.

Roland Abiva, 39, of Graham in Pierce County “collapsed near the shore due to health complications,” said Dino Abulencia, coordinator of the Northwest Chapter of Heroes on the Water, based in Tacoma, in an email.

Abiva had just launched his 13-foot kayak from the beach near Hobuck Beach RV Park when it was capsized by a wave, said Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

Abiva was knocked out of his kayak and into the water.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Bystanders pulled him from the surf, where he was floating face down, and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation until Makah medics arrived, King said.

Medics, deputies and Makah police were called at about 10:13 a.m.

Abiva was taken by ambulance to the Makah Clinic where he was later pronounced dead, King said.

The cause of death has not been determined by the the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, he said.

Abiva was a volunteer with the nonprofit organization Heroes on the Water, which provides kayak fishing trips to wounded warriors and veterans.

Investigators determined Abiva was wearing a type III personal flotation device, a type of life jacket, and a dry suit, King said.

More in News

Port Townsend Farmers Market opens Saturday

Farm-fresh eggs, mexican pastries and smoked fish available

Adella Banning, 6, of Port Angeles pretends to take to the road on a all-terrain vehicle maintained by Clallam County Search and Rescue during Saturday’s Kiwanis Kids Fest at Vern Burton Community Center and a section of adjoining Fourth Street. The event featured numerous public safety displays as well as other youth activities hosted by area community service agencies. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Kids Fest

Adella Banning, 6, of Port Angeles pretends to take to the road… Continue reading

Clallam letter details Trump administration impacts

Clallam cites economy, tourism, healthcare

Rhonda Kromm is the new Port Angeles School District assistant superintendent. She replaces Michelle Olsen, the newly hired superintendent.
First bonds issued for develop plans for PAHS, Franklin Elementary

Construction at new Stevens Middle School to start in May

UPS Store closing Port Angeles location

UPS is closing its UPS Customer Center at 3216… Continue reading

Single-lane traffic near Kalaloch Campground

Erosion near Kalaloch Campground has caused a temporary lane closure… Continue reading

Story swap

Erran Sharpe will be the featured speaker… Continue reading

Gary Norris, front, takes a photo of the Rayonier No. 4 as Leo Frymire looks on during a tour of the engine on Sunday at Lauridsen Boulevard and Chase Street in Port Angeles. They attended a fundraiser for Restore the 4!, a local group leading the effort to restore the geared locomotive built in 1924 by Willamette Iron and Steel in Portland, Ore. The North Olympic History Center, which helped organize the event, donated $1,000 toward the cause. More than 100 people attended a presentation by Steve Hauff, a local historian and expert on Willamette logging locomotives, at the Port Angeles Main Library beforehand. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Locomotive fundraiser

Gary Norris, front, takes a photo of the Rayonier No. 4 as… Continue reading

Court denies recall petition

Sequim man files motion to reconsider

Former Washington Supreme Court Justice Susan Owens dies

Judge spent 19 years on Clallam County District Court bench

Boatbuilding school names executive director

Local candidate chosen from national pool

Road improvement project set at Lincoln Park

The city of Port Angeles will perform road improvements… Continue reading