Posted on: Tuesday, April 27, 2004

City agrees to post sign in blowhole death settlement

Associated Press

The city has reached a settlement with the family of an 18-year-old California youth who died two years ago at the Halona Blowhole.

The city has agreed to post another warning sign at the popular tourist attraction, closer to the natural water spout.

"It should be on the ledge and it should tell people at least what it is and to stay away from it," family attorney James Krueger said.

Daniel Dick, of Sylmar, Calif., drowned June 30, 2002, after falling into the blowhole.

Witnesses said they saw him straddle the hole, then get tossed into the air by the force of the water before falling into the hole. His body was recovered the next day.

"While he was there, there was no geysering, so there's nothing to tell him except an absent sign that he was in harm's way," Krueger said.

The lawsuit said the state and city were negligent in not posting warning signs of any potential danger on the rocky area near the attraction or on the shoreline separating Sandy Beach and the blowhole.

The settlement, which must be approved by the City Council, does not include any money. It also does not include installing a grate cover, which the family has said could prevent another tragedy.