‘A Tragic Accident’

Collapsing Sand Dune Crushes Florida Man Recording Sunrise

Another Hutchinson Island beachgoer found the man hours later when they noticed part of his body sticking out from the sand.

A collapsing dune 120 miles north of Miami, Florida caught someone in its tow early Monday morning. Detectives with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office believe that a 35-year-old man was recording the sunrise when the dune gave in, sucking him under. Another Hutchinson Island beachgoer found the man hours later when they noticed a portion of his body sticking out from the sand. Officials say the unidentified man from Stuart, Florida died of asphyxiation as a result of being trapped. The sheriff’s office is still awaiting toxicology results, but added in a statement that “those tests, however, are not likely to change the outcome of this incident being a tragic accident.”