KIHEI, Maui (24 Feb 2006) -- A man is missing after free diving off Maui's coast. Rescuers say he may be the victim of a shark attack. Anthony Moore left from Makena Landing on Maui's south side yesterday afternoon. A search was launched last night. This morning, human remains were recovered near the same area. The remains discovered had wounds consistent with shark bites. But it won't be known until tomorrow if it's the body of the missing visitor. Moore, a 45-year-old visitor from San Jose, Calif., headed out from Makena Landing yesterday. "Very experienced diver, strong swimmer," said Alan Pascua of the Maui Fire Department. Yet he didn't return that evening, and his wife reported him missing. A gruesome discovery of partial human remains this morning may point to a deadly shark attack. "More evidence found and recovered since then, and we're still working on that identification with the coroners office," Pascua said. Tourist maps and guidebooks recommend Makena Landing as a terrific free-dive spot with caves to explore. Without a positive ID yet on the remains, rescuers are holding out hope. "We still have a search boat and an aircraft in the area continuing to search at this point," said Rob Bushey of the U.S. Coast Guard. "Divers are in the water to see if this man may have gotten caught in a cave." The beach was shut down today, and shark warning signs were posted. "They decided that they would take precautions to close the beach down in that area to allow search and rescue crews to get in there," Bushey said. | | Mako shark Beachgoers were shaken. "It's always disconcerting, and of course you feel for the family of the person who was lost. That's your major concern," said Doug Bauss, a visitor from Michigan. "You think about your own family in that situation." "We're probably going to stay out of the water for a short time," said Maui resident Mark Whiting. "We love the ocean, and we'll be back in the ocean. We're just going to be cautious for the short term." The Coast Guard is still tracking data from two radar beacons that mark Moore's last known position. The coroner should have an identification on the human remains tomorrow morning. SOURCE - KHON2SCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
