Hawaiʻi Police Department
South Hilo Patrol
Captain Robert Wagner
Phone: 961-2214
Report No. C12007405
Media Release
A Big Island man died Saturday after jumping into the Wailuku River in Hilo.
He has been identified as 23-year-old Joseph Tancredi of Hilo.
South Hilo patrol officers responded to a 6:30 p.m. report of a drowning in an area of the river just above Rainbow Falls.
Tancredi’s acquaintances were attempting to revive him with cardiopulmonary resuscitation when officers arrived. He had reportedly jumped into a tide pool about 1/8-mile from the river bank and been held under water by white wash for about two minutes.
Fire Department personnel took him by helicopter to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:17 p.m.
Police do not suspect foul play. They have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
