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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Susie Beever

Fisherman missing at sea after 'huge' tuna catch pulls him overboard into the water

Search crews have been sweeping the ocean for a fisherman who was reportedly pulled overboard by a huge tuna.

Mark Knittle was struggling with the big catch when it's said he disappeared over the side of the boat off the coast of Hōnaunau, Hawaii.

A friend of the 63-year-old heard him remark "this fish is huge" before he fell into the water on Sunday.

Hawaii police said the friend then tried to grab the line but failed to reach Mark in time.

"Knittle was seen on the surface and disappeared within seconds," Hawaii Police Department said in a statement.

"The friend attempted to jump in after Knittle but could not see him anywhere."

Mark was fishing off the coast of Hōnaunau, Hawaii, when he fell overboard (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A major search operation has been launched to find Mark after his disappearance at around 5am on Sunday.

Hawaii's fire department and coast guard have been searching the waters around where he disappeared.

Mark, from the area of Captain Cook, was described as 5 feet 10 inches tall with curly brown hair and a white moustache and beard.

The search is to continue for 72 hours before emergency services take a decision on what to do next.

Deputy Fire Chief Eric Moller told NBC News that the crews were to continue the search until nightfall before determining their next steps.

So far the search crew had used a cutter and aircraft, as well as a search boat, to find Mark, with the weather conditions remaining favourable.

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