A 70-year-old tourist died of an apparent heart attack early Wednesday while on a charter boat snorkeling tour at Buck Island Reef National Monument.
Phil Sach of Miami was snorkeling in the South Lagoon area off the island when he began having trouble breathing, according to Joel Tutein, superintendent of the National Park units on St. Croix.
Sach was taken out of the water by swimmers and the crew of the tour boat Teroro II, which was being captained by Carl Punzenberger, who attempted to resuscitate the victim.
Sach was then transferred to a nearby Park Service boat, where unsuccessful resuscitation efforts continued, Tutein said. The victim was transported to Green Cay Marina aboard the Park Service boat to an awaiting ambulance at about 10 a.m.
Tutein said it was unclear whether Sach, who was accompanied on the tour by his family, had drowned or suffered a heart attack.
The Teroro II operates under U.S. Coast Guard regulations, which will take over the investigation of Sach's death.
