An 88-year-old Minneapolis man who died Thursday after being pulled from a rehabilitation pool in Golden Valley was a longtime swimmer there with his wife, according to officials at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute.

Kenneth Christopherson died of accidental drowning, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office said Friday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Sue Warner, the institute's marketing communications specialist, said he apparently experienced a "medical issue" while in the pool with others. "Staff immediately began CPR, and paramedics continued with rescue efforts before taking him to the hospital," Warner said.

He was pronounced dead at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.

The institute, part of Allina Health, provides rehabilitation services and programs for people of all ages and abilities. Warner said its officials continue to investigate what happened.

Tom Meersman