NEAH BAY — A 69-year-old Sequim kayaker has died after he was rescued from the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Neah Bay. The victim was identified by law enforcement as Arthur James.

He was seen struggling in the water outside of his kayak near milepost 4 on state Highway 112 late Thursday morning, said Sgt. Ed Anderson of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

After witnesses spotted James, an on-duty Neah Bay police officer waded into the water and was able to retrieve the kayak, which he used to bring the kayaker to shore.

The officer performed CPR on the kayaker until a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew arrived and airlifted the kayaker to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles. Coast Guard personnel continued CPR and OMC staff continued life-saving efforts but were unsuccessful, Anderson said.

There was no evidence of foul play, Anderson said. Deputies were notified at 10:59 a.m. Thursday but while they were en route, they heard that James had been airlifted to Olympic Medical Center.

Anderson declined to identify the Neah Bay officer but did say he had not been hurt despite the cold temperature of the water and rough seas. The Clallam County Coroner’s Office has jurisdiction in the case and the medical examiner will attempt to determine cause of death, the sheriff’s office said.