Stuart man killed when sand dune collapses on him

Martin County, Fl (treasurecoast.com)- Martin County Sheriff’s detectives believes the death of a 35-year old Stuart man whose body was found buried in the sand on the beach just south of the House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island was likely an accident.

An early morning beachgoer noticed a portion of the victim’s body protruding from the sand and called for help. It appears that the man died hours earlier from asphyxia as a result of being trapped underneath the sand.

Detectives say no foul play was evident and it appears that the victim was resting underneath a sand dune while taking video of a sunrise, but the dune collapsed trapping him underneath. Investigators are awaiting toxicology tests, which is standard. Those test, however, are not likely to change the outcome of this incident being a tragic accident.