Coast Guard suspends search for missing Illinois snorkeler
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is suspending its search for a snorkeler from Illinois last seen near Hawaii’s Molokini Crater.
The Coast Guard said Thursday the search for 56-year-old Paul Blackburn covered nearly 450 square miles. Crews using fire boats, personal watercraft and helicopters participated in the search.
Blackburn was last seen at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. He was snorkeling with his son at Molokini Crater, a small island off Maui and one of the state’s best spots for snorkeling and diving, when he went missing.
Coast Guard Sector Honolulu search and rescue mission coordinator Lt. Cmdr. Tim List said officials are suspending the search with a heavy heart.
The Coast Guard didn’t have information on Blackburn’s hometown.
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