Mathen Jackson, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii man drowns after jumping off cliff at Keauhou, on Hawaii’s Big Island only to be caught by current.
A Hawaii man died when he jumped off a popular cliff at Keauhou, on Hawaii’s Big Island over the weekend only to be caught in surging waters.
Mathen Jackson, 26, of Kailua-Kona, had been enjoying a meal with a friend when he decided to leap off a popular cliff at Lekeleke Bay commonly known as the ‘End of the World.’
Upon entering the choppy water, Jackson became distressed as the friend and a bystander sought to assist the struggling swimmer.
Seconds from being saved only to be pulled back out to sea by incoming swell
The bystander, former firefighter and Navy corpsman Ian Kowalczyk, managed to tow Jackson to the edge of the cliff, only for the 26-year-old to be swept back out by a massive wave. The eerie moment was captured in a photo which shows Kowalczyk and Jackson’s friend holding the struggling swimmer near the cliff. Yet seconds later Jackson was swept away by incoming waves.
Firefighters and two rescue swimmers arrived at the scene, rushed into the water and pulled Jackson onto a nearby boat, where they performed CPR.
Sadly, it was too late. He was transported to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries.
Jackson was pronounced dead at 6:36 p.m. April 11.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine his exact manner of death. No foul play is suspected at this time.
‘I’m sorry I couldn’t save him,’
Kowalczyk told Hawaii News Now how he is devastated that he was unable to rescue Jackson.
‘I just wanted to let his family know I’m really sorry, I tried as hard as I could, and I’m sorry I couldn’t save him,’ the Good Samaritan said.
Kowalczyk recalled how he tried to coach Jackson through the distress and urged him to float on his back.
But Jackson quickly started taking on water and breathing it in, the bystander said.
Kowalczyk, who described the rescue as being harder than he anticipated, said he felt ‘defeated’ when the wave pulled Jackson back into the ocean.
Doomed jump off popular Hawaii cliff
The 26-year-old started panicking, he recalled, and Kowalczyk broke down crying because he knew if he got back into the water that he would die.
Jackson’s loved ones have paid tribute to him on social media. One friend shared a photo of the Kailua-Kona local, writing: ‘Rest in Peace bro.’
A relative, in another post, said: ‘You’ll be missed Baba Mathen. Can’t believe you left us.’
Jackson’s death continues to be investigated by police. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Kona Patrol Acting Sergeant Reuben Pukahi.
