A Charlotte, North Carolina, man was swept out to sea while visiting Hawaii’s Ka‘ū over the weekend, according to police in Hawaii.

The possible drowning happened just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

What You Need To Know

  • A Charlotte man died in a possible drowning while visiting Hawaii’s Ka‘ū over the weekend

  • Hawaii police identified the man as 24-year-old Carson Philbin from Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Philbin jumped into the ocean with three other swimmers before being swept out further to sea

Ka‘ū patrol officers say they received a call about several swimmers in distress in South Point on Hawaii's Big Island and learned that three men and a woman jumped into the ocean at the “hoist” area.

The swimmers “experienced difficulties due to rough ocean conditions,” police said. Three bystanders helped get three of the swimmers back to shore, but the fourth swimmer, identified by officials as 24-year-old Carson Philbin, was swept out further to sea.

“A witness reported seeing the swimmer [Philbin] approximately 75 yards off shore before going under,” Hawaii police say. Philbin’s body was recovered and taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Although authorities suspect drowning, an autopsy will be performed to determine the Charlotte man’s cause of death.

The Hawaii Police Department asks anyone with additional information to call Ka‘ū Patrol Officer Paul Wright III at (808) 939-2520.