SURF NEWS: Bodyboarder Dies at Pipeline

Scott Bass

March 18, 2008 -- A 23-year old man died at the infamous Pipeline in Hawaii yesterday. Joshua Kalai Nakata, a 2002 graduate from Mililani High School, apparently hit his head on the reef at Pipeline while bodyboarding, according to the Honolulu Star Bulletin.

Lifeguards began CPR on Nakata after pulling him from the 8-10 foot surf. Paramedics transported Nakata in critical condition to Kahuku Hospital, where he died. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death, according to the news article.

UPDATE:
An autoposy report by County of Honolulu medical examiners found Nakata's death was caused by drowning after blunt force trauma to the head, according to the Honolulu Advertiser.

Read more here:

http://starbulletin.com/2008/03/18/news/story08.html