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Army colonel identified as victim in Waianae boating accident

COURTESY U.S. ARMY

Colonel Kirk R. Slaughter

The Army today identified the man killed in a boating accident at Waianae Boat Harbor as Col. Kirk R. Slaughter, deputy commanding officer for operations of the Army Reserves 9th Mission Support Command.

Slaughter, 49, had a mask and fin and a surfboard or paddleboard when a 21-foot recreational powerboat exiting the harbor ran him over Thursday morning at the mouth of the harbor, according to emergency responders.

Originally from Lyons, Neb., Slaughter was stationed at Fort Shafter Flats and had been on leave and camping at the Pililaau Army Recreation Center, according to a news release issued today by 9th Mission Support Command.

He has been with the command for the last year, and in the Army Reserve for more than 30 years, it said.

Shayne Enright, spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Emergency Services, said the call came in at 7:20 a.m. Thursday.

“He was with another person, and he was apparently run over by this boat,” Enright said. “They stopped and rendered aid, along with a couple of people from another boat. It happened right at the harbor entrance.”

Enright said an Ocean Safety lieutenant paddled out and helped bring the man to shore, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said he was swimming 500 feet from the harbor entrance when he was struck by the boat. Police, firefighters, lifeguards and paramedics all responded.

Police are investigating the case, which is classified as an unattended death.

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