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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, October 29, 2009

Teen dies in fall on Big Island


Advertiser Staff

A 17-year-old boy died today after he fell 80 to 90 feet down Mamaewa Gulch in South Kohala on the Big Island.

The victim was identified by police as Shea Walling of Honokaa. Police said Walling slipped while attempting to climb out of the gulch at about 10 a.m.
Fire rescue personnel found Walling at the bottom of a dried up 120-foot waterfall. He was taken to Kona Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:38 p.m., police said.
Police said a 16-year-old male companion also fell and sustained cracked ribs and scrapes. He was listed in serious condition.
A 19-year-old man also was hiking with the group, but he was not injured, the fire department said.
Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of Walling’s death.