Apparent drowning reported in waters off Puna

A person was kiled on Christmas Day after being swept into the ocean while on the coastline in Puna.

Responding to the 1:11 p.m. report, Hawaii Fire Department rescue personnel arrived at the scene off Highway 137, near mile marker 17 to observe the victim floating facedown in waters off the shoreline in Pahoa.

According to the person who reported the incident, the victim was on the rocks and had been swept into the ocean about 25 minutes before rescue personnel, including a lifeguard from Pohoiki, arrived at the remote site.

The victim was extricated from the water using Chopper 1 and brought with no signs of life to shore to awaiting EMS personnel.

“ALS protocols were initiated but life saving actions were ceased after protocols deemed the person to be beyond help,” the department said in a media release, noting a physician approved the death declaration outside of a hospital.

The scene was turned over to police for further investigation.