Search On For Fisherman Who Fell Off South Point Cliff

For the second time in a week, the Hawaii Fire Department and Coast Guard have been called out to search for someone lost off a Big Island shoreline.

In the latest case, a 67-year-old fisherman fell off a 20-foot cliff near South Point Sunday.

Fire department personnel responding to a 10:46 p.m. call were told that other fishermen lost sight of the victim about 50 yards offshore because of darkness, the department reported today.

The Ka Lae area is known for its strong currents, a fire department spokesman said.

The fire department’s Chopper 1 searched for the fisherman with the aid of one of the department’s rescue boat and divers.

They were assisted by a Coast Guard C-130 Dolphin aircraft from Air Station Barbers Point on Oahu which searched approximately six miles out to sea, and a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter scanning the ocean three miles out.

The search resumed at first light this morning.

Last week, a search was for a swimmer pulled out to sea by strong currents at Kehena Beach in Puna was unsuccessful.