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Hawaii fire officials say a Kailua-Kona fisherman is dead after he was apparently impaled by a swordfish.
West Hawaii Acting Battalion Chief John Whitman says witnesses reported that Randy Llanes jumped from a Kailua-Kona pier Friday in an attempt to catch the swordfish.
Llanes, 47, also a charter boat captain, had apparently jumped into the water with a spear gun after spearing the fish. It became entangled in a line, thrashing about and leaving a puncture wound to Llanes upper chest.
"All we know is next thing they know, the man is seen floating," Whitman said.
The incident occurred about 10:48 Friday morning.
Firefighters tried to resuscitate Llanes. He was taken to Kona Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Whitman says this isn’t the first time he’s heard of a billfish impaling someone.
He said police will investigate.
