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2 free divers found dead off Velzyland Beach on North Shore

Two male divers reported missing were pronounced dead at Velzyland Beach early Sunday morning after rescuers recovered their unresponsive bodies, according to the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

The Honolulu Fire Department received a 911 call at 3:40 a.m. for two free divers reported missing for several hours off Velzyland Beach near Sunset Beach.

HFD sent five units staffed with 16 personnel, with the first unit arriving 10 minutes later and accessing the shoreline through a locked gate. A second unit secured a landing zone at Sunset Beach Elementary School.

Firefighters reported seeing a submerged dive light about 150 feet from shore that was not moving, so they dove underwater and retrieved an unresponsive diver attached to the dive light, and brought him to shore, according to HFD. He was transferred to the care of EMS at 4:42 a.m.

The search resumed for a second diver in the area with HFD’s Air 1 helicopter dropping rescuers with scuba-diving equipment to search. The second unresponsive diver was found and brought to shore, where he was transferred at 6:49 a.m. to EMS paramedics who assisted with the death pronouncement.

There were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances as they went diving with friends and family but did not return to shore, according to police.

The divers’ identities were not immediately released. The men were aged 32 and 28, according to HPD.

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