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.
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.
