Kona man dies in bow
hunting accident

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By Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.com

KAILUA-KONA >> A Kailua-Kona man was killed by a ricocheting arrow shot by his son while hunting yesterday, police said.

Thomas Depontes, 44, was hunting with his two sons in the Puuwaawaa area north of Kailua-Kona when his 18-year-old son shot at a sheep and missed, police said.

The arrow apparently ricocheted off a rock and struck the father in the chest, they said.

Depontes pulled the arrow from his chest, walked a few steps, and collapsed, they said.

The sons took Depontes to a hunting check-in station on Hawaii Belt Road and called for help.

Fire Department rescue personnel said Depontes was in cardiopulmonary arrest when they arrived, and his sons were still trying to revive him. He was declared dead at North Hawaii Community Hospital at 2:40 p.m.

Police classified the death as a public accident and are continuing an investigation.