A V.I. National Park official identified the man who died Sunday while snorkelling off St. John as John Husted, 55. Chief Ranger Lloyd Morris said Husted was snorkelling on the back side of Whistling Cay in “very rough” conditions, after he and a friend kayaked to the location.
“He may have had a heart attack,” Morris said. Initial reports had Husted drowning.
Morris said it’s still uncertain whether an autopsy will be performed.
Husted, an Ohio resident, was on St. John visiting his daughter, who works at Maho Bay Camps.
A passing ferry responded to a call for help by launching its dinghy. Park staff, St. John Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard also responded, Morris said.
A park boat brought Husted ashore at Maho Bay Beach. Initial reports put the location at Maho Bay Camps.
St. John resident Pat Lodge was on the beach when the park boat arrived with Husted.
“They were applying chest compression,” she said of two St. John Rescue volunteers who were aboard the park boat.
Ambulances from St. John Emergency Medical Service met them at the beach. Lodge said that an emergency medical technician waded in the water to help bring Husted ashore. She said St. John Rescue removed Husted’s body.
Police Department spokesman Melody Rames did not return two phone calls made Monday requesting more information.
