Man Dies Jumping Off 50-Foot Cliff in Hawaii (Video)

A local news and community awareness Instagram account, hhhnewz, posted the video and added this information:

“Sad day at spitting caves where a man jumped and did not resurface. The other men he was with tried to find him, but were unsuccessful due to not having a mask to see. He was under for 15 minutes before HFD Ocean Safety was able to find him and bring him to the surface. The man was believed to be a tourist, the men he came with were speaking German and had a language barrier when talking to HFD. 6:07pm. Man jumps in. 6:22pm. Fire department has arrived, and searching for body, fire department and ocean rescue pull the body onto the jet ski and take it to Moanalua boat ramp.”

According to local news, Honolulu Ocean Safety has responded 52 times over the last five years, as a result of cliff jumping injuries, drownings, near-drownings, and the like. There are even plaques on the rocks at Spitting Caves, commemorating those who have died at the spot. Warning signs have been posted at the site, relaying the dangers and advising against anyone jumping off the 50-foot cliff.

Even the locals, who jump there often, warn of the risk for those who don’t know what they’re doing. Following the recent death, speaking to local news, one local resident had this message to relay:

“Just because you swim in a swimming pool, or a lake, or jump in a quarry, it doesn’t make you qualified to do that here. Even though you tell ‘em not to do it on a day that would be too dangerous for an outsider. They see our kids do it, and they’re like, ‘I can do that too.’ Then they get in trouble.”

As always, know your limits. Listen to the lifeguards. Don't put yourself (or anyone else) in danger.