Officials are searching for a 34-year-old man who fell into the Wailuku River while fishing around 5:47 p.m. Saturday.
Officials are searching for a 34-year-old man who fell into the Wailuku River while fishing around 5:47 p.m. Saturday.
According to a press release issued by the Hawaii County Fire Department, bystanders said “he tripped and fell into the water while fishing.”
The incident occurred between Kamehameha Avenue and Keawe Street at the south bank of the river.
According to a press release, HFD units searched “from land, by boat and in the water with rescue board, peterson bouys, snorkeling and with SCUBA along the south bank of the Wailuku River” and that the “search continued past sunset.”
HFD Battalion Chief Jerry Lum said a 10-person search team consisting of divers and a helicopter were looking for the man Sunday near the mouth of the river and by the Hilo Bay area.
The Hawaii County Police Department is currently investigating the case.
Lt. James Gusman said there were other people with the man at the time of the fall, but did not release any names.
“Right now it’s assigned to the criminal investigation section. He was with other people but the names haven’t been released because he hasn’t been found,” he said.
Gusman said there’s no suspicion of foul play and that police are treating the case as a “missing persons” incident.
Gusman said more information will be released Monday.