Updated at 1:40 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2007
Body of missing hiker found in Lower Puna
Advertiser Staff
HILO, Hawai'i — The body of a 59-year-old man who became disoriented while hiking with his wife in Lower Puna was recovered this morning from the bottom of a large 80- to-100-foot pit.Fire officials said the man and his wife were hiking Thursday evening when they became lost. The wife told authorities she heard a splash, and then her husband stopped responding to her calls.
The woman waited until morning, and then walked to the highway at an area outside of Pahoa known for its steam vents near the 15 mile marker of Highway 130 to seek help.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 7:14 a.m. today, and the woman was able to guide them to the site of the fall.
Rescuers used ropes to descend into the pit to remove the man's body, fire officials said.
