From RCIPS Fri Feb 7 2014

A 64-year-old America tourist passed away on Wednesday after getting into difficulty whilst snorkeling with friends off Cemetery Beach, West Bay.

Richard Chaput, from Libertyville, Illinois, was snorkeling with two friends on Wednesday afternoon, while his wife stayed on the beach. About 2.15pm Mr. Chaput seemed to be having some difficulty and he and his friends started to return to shore. However whilst en route back to the beach he apparently lost consciousness. His friends shouted for help and several people who were on the beach came into the water to help. He was brought ashore where members of the public and two fire officers from the West Bay station administered CPR until the arrival of the paramedics.

Mr. Chaput was conveyed by ambulance to the Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mr. and Mrs. Chaput were vacationing in the Cayman Islands with friends.

Police enquiries are ongoing and there would appear to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Mrs. Chaput is anxious that the RCIPS should pass on her thanks to the many people who assisted her and her husband on the beach on Wednesday.