Father and Son, 16, Vanished on a Hike. 4 Days Later, Officials Have Suspended the Search
The search has been suspended for a father and son, who disappeared earlier this week on a hike in Hawaii.
Authorities in the state announced in a press conference shared by the local news outlet KHON2 on Friday, June 26, that they have suspended their search for the pair, identified as a 49-year-old man and his 16-year-old son.
The U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies said they had been searching since Tuesday, June 23, from “sun up to sundown” for the missing father and son. During the press conference, officials confirmed 11 units with 25 personnel searched more than 1,000 miles on land.
Officials added that crews searched over 100 coastal miles in the waters near where they disappeared, “searching in grids” and “diving in areas” where they suspected the pair could have ended up.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Hanauma-Bay-062726-0424e28e6ceb4bebb73a26b5ab23b53f.jpg)
A photo of Hanauma Bay beach in Hawaii.Getty
Ultimately, they were unable to find the pair and the search was called off at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time on Friday, June 26, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
“We’d… like to extend our thoughts and our sympathies to the family,” Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Keopele Gowan said during the press conference.
Our new app is here! Free, fun and full of exclusives. Scan to download now!
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/People_Onsite_ATF_Overlay_DesktopVersion_070125_qr_code11-6a9808bc1dfa4c2a9603155d7a5343d3.png)
“At the fire department, we understand that some of the most beautiful beaches and hiking trails are on this island. We always want to remind people to be prepared and be safe. Things happen to even the most experienced,” he added.
The U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release that the father and son left their hotel at around 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday, June 23, to explore the Hanauma Bay Rock Bridge Trail.
RELATED STORIES
Dad and Son, 16, Disappear on Hike. Their Backpack and Car Were Found but Pair Remains Missing 2 Days Later
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Hanauma-Bay-062526-2791efc285214183837431d18040154c.jpg)
Body of Missing Hiker, 61, Found in New Hampshire Mountain Range After He Lost Contact with His Family
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/white-mountains-nh-042226-d5d4012cebf9474bab624f9e7e4a0942.jpg)
At about 8:45 a.m., a person came across a backpack containing the missing father’s belongings near the trail and contacted police, the Coast Guard said. The father’s car was discovered near the trailhead entrance by members of the Honolulu Fire Department.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Hanauma-Bay-02-062726-24dbf0fed24c43c3bb874efcb8295d87.jpg)
A view of Hanauma Bay with Koko Head in the background taken in 2020.Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty
The Hanauma Bay Rock Bridge is a dangerous attraction, as there have been situations in which people who have hiked the trail have been swept out to sea, according to local outlet Hawaii News Now.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Joe Pomaihealani, a contractor working in the vicinity, told KHON that the hiking trail can be “ruthless,” especially for those who are inexperienced with hiking.
“A lot of people who go through this trail basically don’t know how ruthless this hill is, and the heat and stuff,” Pomaihealani said. “You know, a lot of them come up without water, they never did hike, and all of that. They are inexperienced, you know.”