Medical condition killed Big Isle driver, not crash

An autopsy has determined that a 26-year-old Big Island man died from a medical condition and not as a result of a one-vehicle crash May 13, Hawaii County officials said yesterday.

They did not identify the medical condition.

Christopher S. Bortz of Kurtistown died after the pickup truck he was driving crossed the center line and crashed on Road 8 in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision in Kurtistown, early in the morning on May 13.

Bortz was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a few hours later.

Because the death was not the result of a crash, Big Island police have reduced the number of traffic fatalities to date this year to 13 from 14.

2 male swimmers rescued at Portlock's Spitting Caves

Ocean Safety personnel rescued two swimmers in distress yesterday in the area known as Spitting Caves near Portlock Point in Hawaii Kai.

Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division received a call at 12:28 p.m. yesterday.

An Ocean Safety personal watercraft operator retrieved both swimmers after the call and brought them to the Maunalua Bay boat ramp.

An Emergency Medical Services team treated one man in his 20s for minor injuries. The other male, whose age was not available, refused treatment.

Ocean Safety urged the public to avoid the Spitting Caves area, saying it is dangerous. No lifeguards are on duty in the area.