Nov. 9, 2007 — A tourist drowned Friday while snorkeling on the north side of St. Croix.
Zerlin Wolfgang, 70, a German national from the cruise ship MS Columbus, was snorkeling by himself off Cane Bay beach when he experienced distress, according to St. Croix Police Chief Thomas Hannah. A female tourist in the water at the time responded to his cries for help, Hannah said.
Wolfgang was brought back to shore with the help of Cane Bay Dive Shop staff, who initiated lifesaving efforts. EMS personnel arrived on the scene and performed CPR, but Wolfgang died at the scene. His body was transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital.
The victim's wife was present but not in the water when her husband experienced problems, Hannah said. The ship's doctor was also called to the scene, he said.
The MS Columbus docked in Frederiksted at 8 a.m. and remained in port until 2 p.m. It was the first cruise ship to arrive for a daytime visit to St. Croix in several years.
Hannah called the incident "tragic." He commended the dive shop staff and others who came to the assistance of the victim and his family.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
