Posted at 11:07 a.m., Monday, July 1, 2002
Blowhole victim's body recovered
• Previous story: Water pulls young tourist into Halona Blowhole
• Blowhole has history of danger
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Firefighters today found the body of Daniel Dick, 18, who drowned after he fell into the Halona Blowhole yesterday. Photo courtesy Honolulu Police Department |
Police identified the victim as Daniel Dick, 18, of Los Angeles.
Two firefighters in scuba gear entered the blowhole underwater and found Dick at 10:16 a.m., said Capt. Richard Soo, fire department spokesman.
Although the city has signs and a locked gate to keep people away from Blowhole, witnesses told firefighters that Dick had straddled the natural water spout about 3 p.m. yesterday. A blast of water lifted him in the air, flipped him upside down and dropped him head first into the hole.
Rescue personnel searched the area until 8 p.m. yesterday, then returned at 5:42 a.m. today, Soo said. They knew they would not be finding Dick alive.
Dick's mother and two younger brothers also returned to the site today but had left for their Waikiki hotel before his body was found, Soo said.
