By Cimaron Neugebauer
Standard-Examiner
HONOLULU — A Utah man visiting Hawaii died after experiencing problems while snorkeling, according to fire officials.
Andrew Walkingshaw, 43, of Taylorsville died Sunday after being taken to the hospital.
Honolulu Fire Department spokesman David Jenkins told the Standard-Examiner the man was snorkeling Sunday morning around 9:30 a.m., at Shark’s Cove off Oahu’s north shore when he nearly drowned. Bystanders and life guards administered CPR to Walkingshaw before emergency crews arrived.
“When they brought the patient up to parking lot they were able to get a pulse and breathing,” Jenkins said.
Lifeguards and firefighters performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. He regained a pulse and started breathing.
The man was rushed in critical condition to a hospital and died at the facility.
The cause of death is unknown, because the autopsy is “still pending,” according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s office who released the man’s identity.
Walkingshaw worked as a paramedic for South Davis Community Hospital prior to his death.
South Davis Community Hospital Chief Nursing officer Scott Anderson said Walkingshaw worked for 13 years with the company and always went out of his way to help someone in need.
“Andy was a wonderful guy,” Anderson said."He was the type when he would walk in the room, everyone was drawn to him.”
As a paramedic, Walkingshaw had a requirement to maintain a standard level of fitness, Anderson added although the cause of death has not been determined.
“Andy was a wonderful person. He was just a delight to be around,” Anderson said. “I know his co-workers at South Davis are going to miss him. They are going to be sad he isn’t here. He left that big of an impact.
Walkingshaw was also employed at Murray Fire Department.
Attempts to contact his Walkingshaw’s family to obtain a photo or memory of him were not successful.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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©2014 Standard-Examiner (Ogden, Utah)