Posted on: Friday, December 17, 2004

Visitor dies in Ka'u waters

Advertiser Staff

A 33-year-old visitor from Oklahoma died yesterday afternoon after he was swept to sea at South Point on the Big Island.

Police identified the man as Darren Fain, of Jennings, Okla.

Fain was sightseeing and posing for a picture near the ocean when a large wave swept him away at about 1 p.m., police said.

The National Weather Service said the surf in the South Point area yesterday afternoon was in the 1- to 2-foot range. But a spokesman said trade winds were gusting at more than 20 mph and the wave that swept Fain away may have been generated by the strong winds.

Fire rescue crews retrieved Fain at about 3:45 p.m. and he was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 last night.

Police have classified the case as a public accident and ordered an autopsy.