Nation Digest

HURRICANE BILL

2 Deaths Attributed To Storm's Waves

A large wave fueled by Hurricane Bill swept spectators out to sea at a Maine park Sunday, as the storm-churned surf attracted onlookers and daredevils along the Eastern Seaboard.

A 7-year-old girl who was pulled from the sea near Acadia National Park later died, and a 54-year-old swimmer died after washing ashore unconscious Saturday in Florida, authorities said.

The girl, her father and a 12-year-old girl were plucked from the water by rescuers. The man and his daughter are from New York City, Acadia National Park Chief Ranger Stuart West said. The other girl is from Belfast, Maine, and is not related to them, West said. He would not release their names.

The man and the 12-year-old were hospitalized.

The three were part of an early afternoon crowd of thousands who lined the national park's rocky shoreline to watch the high surf and crashing waves, which were "absolutely the effects of Hurricane Bill" coupled with the effect of high tide, park ranger Sonya Berger said.

The hurricane was also blamed for the death of the swimmer Saturday in Florida. Volusia County Beach Patrol Capt. Scott Petersohn said Angel Rosa of Orlando was found ashore near rough waves fueled by Bill at New Smyrna Beach, along the central Florida coast. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Lifeguards there also rescued a few other swimmers believed to have suffered spinal injuries.

The center of the hurricane was about 230 miles west of Newfoundland on Sunday night, according to the National Hurricane Center. It had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, and it was moving northeast at 35 mph. The storm is expected to continue to lose strength as it moves over cooler waters.

-- Associated Press

SPACE SHUTTLE

Discovery Cleared For Liftoff Tuesday

NASA has cleared the space shuttle Discovery for liftoff Tuesday, and the weather looks promising as long as thunderstorms stay away during fueling.