A North California man was sucked into a blow hole in Maui on Saturday afternoon. David Potts, 44, was apparently enjoying himself in the spray created by the Nakalele blow hole just before a large wave knocked him down and sucked him into the blow hole. The next wave pushed him up briefly before he disappeared again.
Killer Blow Hole
Photo by Rocco Piganelli, showing the victim standing next to the blow hole, moments before he was sucked in.
Blow holes are created by strong waves which cut into the rock and create sea caves that grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts, opening into the surface of the rock. The waves push air and water into the hole and these erupt upward causing an effect like a geyser.
Oahu blow hole
Blow hole in Punakaiki, New Zealand
Poor guy. Never had a chance. You should never stand next to a blowhole.