A male tourist from the United States passed away at the public clinic in Playas del Coco, one of the Gold Coast beaches of Costa Rica, after suffering a fatal heart attack during a snorkeling expedition.

 

According to a news report published on Friday by daily tabloid Diario Extra, the U.S. tourist was in his mid-50s. He was on vacation along with his wife and a few friends, who decided to participate in a snorkeling tour, a popular activity in Playas del Coco.

 

Witnesses explained that the snorkeling group headed out to a nearby reef not far from the beach. The dearly departed did not show any signs of distress as the group approached the reef, and he seemed to have been enjoying the underwater sights. At some point, the man lifted his head above the water and told his snorkeling mates that he was not feeling well.

 

Moments later, the group noticed that their friend was having a hard time staying afloat, and so they helped him return to the beach. Once ashore, the group called for help. The nearby Red Cross squad from Sardinal responded to the 911 call and rushed him into an ambulance so that he could be taken to the Playas del Coco clinic. The paramedics explained that the patient went into cardiac arrest on the way to the clinic.

 

The tourist was receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation as he entered the emergency room; alas, doctors could not keep him alive for long.

 

Most snorkeling activity in Playas del Coco takes place offshore. Tourists are taken to prime spots aboard diving charter boats; this is often due to poor visibility close to the beach. In recent days, however, locals have reported improved visibility near the point. The snorkeling here is not the best in Costa Rica; many of the prime spots are in the Caribbean.