Hawaii 24/7 File footage of surf off Hawaiian Paradise Park.

By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Hawaii County Fire Department crews retrieved the body of a fisherman after spotting him on the rocky Puna shoreline shortline before 6 a.m. Wednesday (Feb 6).

The man had been fishing on the shoreline of Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision near Ala Neiau Road Tuesday night (Feb 5) when he fell into the ocean striking his head on rocks. The family of the fisherman saw him floating face down in rough water.

County search and rescue crews searched Tuesday night by land, boat and helicopter but could not find the man due to weather conditions of 5-6 foot swells, 20-25 mph winds, light rain showers and poor visibility.

The fisherman’s body was spotted on the rocky shoreline early Wednesday morning, off the Ala Heiau Road and Makuu Drive area, pushed up by large surf and was airlifted to shore and was identified by family members.

POLICE MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation in connection with a 31-year-old man whose body was found Wednesday morning after he was swept out to sea Tuesday afternoon.

The victim has been identified as Charles Lyon of Keaʻau.

At 6:32 p.m. Tuesday (February 5) Puna Patrol officers and Fire Department personnel responded to a possible drowning off Makuʻu Drive in Paradise Park. Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim had been washed out to sea while fishing with his brother.

The case was originally classified as a missing persons.

Fire Department and Coast Guard personnel searched for the missing man but were unable to locate him initially and the search was suspended due to nightfall and weather conditions.

The search resumed at first light Wednesday (February 6) morning and the victim’s body was soon located by Hawaiʻi Fire Department personnel.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.