A U.S. Marine drowned in a snorkeling accident Saturday afternoon off a beach at Cape Maeda, Onna Village.

The Naha Maritime Safety Agency and Ishikawa Police received an emergency call that the 22-year-old male Marine had been caught in a rip current and carried out to the sea. A rescue helicopter lifted the Marine from the ocean and he was taken to a hospital. However, efforts to resuscitate him were not successful, and he was pronounced dead about an hour later. He had reportedly been snorkeling with his colleagues.

The Marine Consolidated Public Affairs Office identified the dead Marine Monday as Sergeant Aubrey D. Williams. Williams was deployed to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa. Williams is survived by his wife and three children.

A command level investigation is being conducted to determine the exact cause of the accident.

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