Calif. man, daughter swept out to sea from Hawaii tide pools
MAKAPUU, Hawaii - A California man who was an experienced surfer and his daughter died after being swept out to sea from tide pools in Hawaii on Saturday.
Officials identified the pair as 46-year-old Mark Hornor and 6-year-old Mina Hornor. Both were from Berkeley, California.
Emergency crews responded Saturday to reports that the girl fell into the ocean while walking along the rocky shoreline. Officials said her father jumped in to save her before he also was swept away by the waves.
Lifeguards found both victims unresponsive and brought them back to shore.
They both were taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died.
Witnesses told CBS affiliate KGMB the events happened in a matter of moments, and the aftermath was difficult to watch.
"There was no movement," said Jamie DeMatoff, who was on the beach when lifeguards were giving the father and daughter CPR. "His body was lifeless just like the little girl. My heart just sank just watching this happen."
Hornor's family described him as an avid cyclist and surfer, and said Mina was the youngest of three daughters.
"He was just a fantastic human being, he jumped in tried to save her. And I don't think he wanted to come back empty handed," said Hornor's brother, Matthew.
The medical examiner will conduct autopsies to determine their causes of death.
The Saturday incident comes after a teenage girl was seriously injured after a wave knocked her over last month. Two people, including a 12-year-old girl, had to be rescued in separate incidents in March 2015 after they were injured by the waves at the tide pools. In 2011, a father and his 11-year-old daughter drowned at the tide pools.