Rough surf claims fisherman at 23 Flats Beach

PEPEEKEO, Hawaii: A 37 year old man has died after being swept into the ocean by rough surf while fishing from the shoreline in Pepeekeo.

The Hawaii County Fire Department says a friend of the man who was fishing alongside of the victim reported the incident, which happened at the 23 Flats spot on the rocky shoreline.

According to fire personnel, who responded from The Kaumana and Waiakea Fire Stations, the man who was unidentified in the media dispatch “was swept off rocky shoreline by rough waves and then disappeared beneath shoreline surf. HFD personnel immediately began a search mission with two divers and were able to recovery the missing mans body shortly afterwards.”

UPDATE: media release from Hawaii County Police Department

Big Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest case in connection with the death of a fisherman over the weekend.

South Hilo patrol officers responded to a 3:09 p.m. report Saturday (August 25) and learned that 37-year-old Ian Tengan of Hilo had been fishing at the water’s edge in an area known as “23 Flats” in Honomu, when he disappeared. Police officers and Fire Department personnel located him face down in the surf.

He was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:02 p.m.

Police have requested an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.