Police: Man jumped to his death off Puueo Bridge

Police say a man believed to be in his early 70s jumped to his death off the Puueo Bridge in downtown Hilo early Wednesday evening.

Shortly before 5 p.m., Hilo patrol officers and Hawaii Fire Department personnel responded to numerous reports that a man had jumped from the bridge into the Wailuku River.

Responding personnel found the man’s lifeless body and fire rescue personnel assisted in recovering the remains from the water.

The victim was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 6 p.m. An autopsy has been scheduled for later this week to determine the exact cause of death.

The case is classified as a coroner’s inquest and police are investigating.

The identity of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Witnesses and anyone with information relevant to this case to call the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.