Kaua'i drowning victims identified

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

A father and son who drowned Saturday while swimming off the eastern shore of Kaua'i were visitors from Pennsylvania, officials said yesterday.

David Kitzmiller, 47, and his 17-year-old son, Jeremy, along with Kitzmiller's wife and 13-year-old daughter, were guests at the Pahio Resort in Nukoli'i, which is north of Lihu'e and south of Wailua.

The family had gone to the beach in front of the resort, firefighters said, and the father and son were swimming a short way off the beach.

The older Kitzmiller began struggling against a current and his son swam out to help him. Both were taken under.

Witnesses called 911, said Kaua'i Fire Battalion Chief Bob Kaden.

Firefighters arrived within moments and saw beachgoers pointing toward the water. The 17-year-old was floating face down.

Firefighter Jim Pelegrino swam out and worked to help Jeremy breathe until a hotel employee swam out with a bodyboard and brought the younger Kitzmiller to shore.

Pelegrino then dove beneath the water and found David Kitzmiller about 12 feet below the surface, Kaden said. Another firefighter, Clyde Weddell, swam out with a rescue board and helped bring David Kitzmiller in.

Lifeguards from another beach arrived, and they and the firefighters worked to revive the father and son.

David Kitzmiller was dead at the scene, Kaden said. But paramedics continued cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Jeremy as he was taken by ambulance to Wilcox Hospital.

Jeremy was declared dead upon arrival at Wilcox, Kaden said.

Kaua'i Hospice volunteers met the wife and daughter at the emergency room, and provided grief counseling and help in arranging to transport the bodies back to the Mainland.

The Kitzmillers are from Blairsville, Pa., Kaden said.