Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the Yu-Gi-Oh manga, died while attempting to save Riptide victims
Takahashi's body was discovered on July 6, two days later.
On Tuesday, the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported that Yu-Gi-Oh! manga creator Kazuki Takahashi died while assisting a US Army officer in saving three people caught in a riptide at Mermaid's Grotto in Onna, Okinawa.
Kazuki Takahashi - Mangaka of “Yu-Gi-Oh!”
On July 4, US Army Major Robert Bourgeau, a diving instructor, was attempting to rescue an 11-year-old girl, her mother, and a US soldier who were caught in a rip current about 100 meters from shore. Bourgeau was unaware that Takahashi was attempting to assist him in the rescue.
Takahashi entered the water during the rescue, according to Bourgeau, but he did not see Takahashi during the ordeal. Bourgeau's diving students, with whom he had met shortly after 2:00 p.m. that day, caught glimpses of Takahashi before he vanished beneath the waves.
Takahashi's body was discovered with snorkeling gear two days later, by the Japan Coast Guard on July 6, about 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) offshore in Awa, Nago City, Okinawa.
The Japan Coast Guard spokesman declined to confirm Takahashi's participation in the rescue attempt, but the Army provided several sworn witness statements detailing his actions that day. Takahashi died of drowning, and there were no signs of foul play, according to his autopsy.
US Army Major Robert Bourgeau - Diving Instructor
The US Army recognized Bourgeau for saving the three people. In September, his command nominated him for the Soldier's Medal, which recognizes acts of heroism that do not involve actual combat with an enemy. Takahashi, according to Bourgeau, is a hero who "died trying to save someone else."
Mermaids Grotto, Onna, Okinawa