Hawaii island police identify man, 71, who died after falling into lava tube
A 71-year-old man who died after falling down a lava tube in his Kaumana yard was identified today as Robert Hisashi Nishimoto.
Hawaii island police identified Nishimoto and said an autopsy Tuesday found Nishimoto died of injuries consistent with falling.
Police found Nishimoto in the tube about 8:30 a.m. Monday after going to his home to follow up on a report that he had not been seen or heard from in several days.
“It appeared he had fallen through a soft area of ground into a lava tube on his property,” police said in a statement.
Hawaii island firefighters rappelled into the tube and recovered Nishimoto’s body about 22 feet below ground.
He was taken to the Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
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Police said foul play is not suspected in the case.
