5-year-old boy who died in kayak accident identified as St. Andrew’s student
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LEILA FUJIMORI / LFUJIMORI@STARADVERTISER.COM
The scene of the Kaaawa kayaking accident where a 63-year-old woman and 5-year-old boy drowned on March 28.
The 5-year-old boy who died March 28 in a kayaking accident was a St. Andrew’s Schools kindergarten student, the school confirmed today.
Alaric Chiu was one of three boys, ages 5, 6 and 9, aboard a kayak with Maria Davis, 63, off a Kaaawa beach Thursday. Davis was a staff member with the Mid-Pacific Institute’s spring break program.
She and Chiu were found unresponsive in the water at about 11:30 a.m. and taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The other two boys were rescued.
“Words cannot express how heartbroken we are over the loss of Alaric in this tragic incident,” said Head of School, Dr. Ruth R. Fletcher. “Our school community is supporting the Chiu family in all the ways they need our love and care during this incredibly difficult time.
“As school resumes tomorrow after spring break, our faculty, staff and a team of grief counselors are prepared to provide support to all our students in their classrooms and individually.”
The Prep is the K-8 boys school at St. Andrew’s. The Priory is its K-12 girls school.
Chiu’s family signed him up for the spring break program at Mid-Pacific. The Kaaawa stop and the kayak ride were not on the itinerary.
Davis borrowed the kayak from a friend who lives near the beach.