A 29-year-old kayaker who died Tuesday morning, a day after his boat overturned in the water between the Key Peninsula and McNeil Island, has been identified as Matthew Grobins.

Grobins, of Lakebay, and a friend were thrown into the water about 7:30 p.m. Monday after their boat capsized in the Pitt Passage.

The friend was able to make his way to shore and call for help. Searchers found Grobins and pulled him from the water after about an hour and took him to St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, where he died early Tuesday.

The kayak flipped when one of the men reached for something. They were unable to right the boat after multiple tries so the friend told Grobins they needed to swim to shore, Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said. Grobins refused to leave his kayak.