Boat kills diver off of Maui - Hawaii

[DandyDon]

It's been a little over a week since the scuba death on the Big Island there. As is often the case, I don't know if this diver was scuba or snorkel, or much else for starters.

Police: Maui Diver Accidentally Struck By Boat, Dies - Honolulu News Story - KITV Honolulu

WAILUKU, Hawaii -- Maui police say a 60-year-old man was diving about 200 yards offshore from Wahikuli Wayside Park in Lahaina Thursday when he was hit a 19-foot boat and later died. The man is identified as William W. Gonzales from Lahaina. Investigators say he was accidentally struck by a 19-foot ski-boat recreational watercraft. Gonzales sustained injuries to both legs and had to be transported to shore on a lifeguard's jet ski. He was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

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[Doubler]

Not to pick nits but the "Big Island" is Hawaii not Maui.

 

[DandyDon]

Not to pick nits but the "Big Island" is Hawaii not Maui.

Sorry if my wording was not clear. Yes, this one was off of Maui. The one last week was off of the Big Island: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/405555-diver-fatality-big-island-hawaii.html

 

[Nolan]

BREAKING/UPDATE: Maui Diver Struck by Boat Dies of Injuries | Maui Now

Maui Now Staff - "When the incident first occurred, we were told it was snorkeling, but we have since received confirmation that it was a diving incident."

 

[Findbenjamin]

Having dove Lahaina, Lanai and Molokini, I can testify first hand to "private, recreational ski-boats" operating carelessly through areas known to contain swimmers. Within 50 ft of the shore along Lahaina and up to the "Black wall reef" there is amazing snorkeling and diving to be had, with easy encounters with Honu (the Hawaiian green sea turtle), Octopus, Wrasse, Morays. Even with appropriate Diver Down markings, or marked "swim" areas, private boats seem to operate without care, or fear of reprisal from the local government. Tragedies like this are senseless as they can be easily avoided by the operators of these "power" boats.

 

[socaldiver]

This tragic accident occurred at Canoe Beach but according to further investigations he was not diving or snorkeling as originally reported. He was working on the markers used for the outrigger races that they have in that area.

Sad