A couple’s dream vacation in Hawaii took a tragic turn when the husband passed away during a snorkeling trip.
According to a report from USA Today on Tuesday (May 7, 2024), the couple, Patricia and Ray Johnson, had traveled to Maui, Hawaii, accompanied by four friends. Their plan was to explore various islands over a few weeks.
They had chosen to stay at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui, starting from February 23, 2022. On the morning of the 25th, Ray decided to go snorkeling near Wailea Beach, while Patricia took a leisurely stroll along the shoreline.
Patricia watched as Ray and their friends headed into the water for some snorkeling fun. With a wave, Ray dove in.
But then, things took a tragic turn.
According to Ray’s friends, he suddenly began to struggle to breathe. “Help me, I can’t catch my breath,” were Ray’s last words.
He briefly surfaced, then slipped back into the water, floating on his back.
Despite a frantic 911 call, the medical responders were unable to revive Ray. While they suspected Rapid Onset Pulmonary Edema (ROPE), Ray was ultimately pronounced dead due to drowning.
Sadly, this isn’t the first such incident to occur in Hawaii. There have been numerous cases of tourists experiencing sudden health issues while snorkeling.
Patricia has taken legal action against the resort, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. She refuses to believe that her husband died from drowning.
Patricia’s family believes that Hawaiian travel agencies have not done enough to educate people about the risks of snorkeling, particularly regarding ROPE (Rest, Observation, Planning, and Empowerment). She filed the lawsuit in the Circuit Court of First Circuit in Hawaii in February 2024. Investigations are set to begin this week.