Girl swept away at Thunder Hole dies

(NECN: Josh Brogadir) – The Coast Guard says one of three people swept out to sea by a rogue wave at Acadia National Park in Maine has died. Officials have not released the name of the 7-year-old girl. The three who were rescued were part of a large group gathered on the rocks at an area called Thunder Hole around noon when the wave, fueled by Hurricane Bill, struck. The Coast Guard says the passing storm made the ocean extremely dangerous. Steve McCausland of the Maine Public Safety Department says the girl’s name isn’t being released but that she was from New York state. Eleven other people were injured on the rocks. They were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries according to Acadia National Park Spokesperson Sonia Berger. “The coastline along the ocean drive can be dangerous at any time. The rocks are slippery. The granite is very hard,” Berger said by phone. Thousands of people crowded the popular spot in Acadia to watch massive waves barrel against the coast, when one of those waves swept three people into the water. Video of the dramatic rescue was posted on YouTube. Thunder Hole got its name because the sound of the waves crashing onto the rocks is like a clap of thunder. Berger said Sunday, people were on the rocks in a place they were permitted to stand, but that “the ocean waves can be a bit unpredictable with 12 to 15 foot swells. With Hurricane Bill and the incoming tide this afternoon, the waves were much much larger.” She added, “People who have been in this area for awhile going down to the coast said that it’s more water there than they’ve seen in their lifetimes.” Waves crashed along the Portland, Maine shore. No injuries were reported there, but the hurricane is also to blame for the death of a 54 year old swimmer Saturday in Florida.