A man was killed on the Big Island today when he fell into a blowhole on the coastline below Honuapo on Highway 11, officials said.

Hawai'i Fire Department Capt. Monn-el Kim said bystanders saw the man fall into the blowhole at 10:31 a.m.

Rescue personnel arrived but could not find the man. Later a helicopter search spotted him floating face down in water about 100 yards south of the blowhole, 30 yards offshore.

The body was recovered by a rescue swimmer and a net and brought to shore, then taken to a hospital.