HONOLULU — A man has died after leaping into the ocean at an isolated Hawaii cliff where another person was critically injured days earlier, officials said.
The 22-year-old man died Wednesday after jumping at Spitting Cave on Oahu, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported . The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as Matthew R. Forero-Pinilla and called his death an accidental drowning.
Honolulu firefighters had responded to a report of a swimmer in distress, learning Forero-Pinilla took the 60-foot (18-meter) plunge at Spitting Cave, resurfaced and then went under again, authorities said.
Firefighters initially tried to dive to reach him but couldn’t bring him up. A scuba diver found him 60 feet (18 meters) underwater, authorities said.
A Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat transported Forero-Pinilla in critical condition to Maunalua Bay Beach Park. Crews kept treating him on the way to a hospital, where he died.
Ocean conditions Wednesday were windy, choppy and dangerous, officials said.
The fatality was the sixth time in two weeks that authorities responded to swimmers in trouble at Spitting Cave and at China Walls, which are both in the Portlock neighborhood of Honolulu.
Authorities say a 21-year-old was in critical condition after being rescued at Spitting Cave on Saturday.
Honolulu Ocean Safety officials have urged the public to refrain from jumping into the ocean at the isolated spots.
“Do not go in the water,” said J.R. Sloane, captain of Ocean Safety’s east district, who said the simple message will “save lives — especially when cliffs are involved.”
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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
