HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR011218RescuerssavefouronKauaisNorthShoreonThursday04,
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Mayor Managing Director
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
KAUA`I FIRE DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: January 12, 2018
ROBERT WESTERMAN, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Rescuers save four on Kaua`i's North Shore on Thursday
Firefighters and lifeguards rescued four people on three separate rescue calls on
Thursday on Kauai's North Shore.
Hanalei firefighters were dispatched to an area behind the Cliffs at Princeville shortly
before 12:30 p.m., after a female hiker sustained injuries from falling off a cliff on a trail to Turtle
Cove.
When they arrived on scene they found the woman, age 24 of Kauai, conscious and
laying on rocks about 80 feet from the top of the cliff.
Hanalei personnel along with Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 assisted the woman out using a
Stokes litter. She was airlifted to a nearby landing zone where awaiting medics transported her
to Wilcox Hospital for further treatment.
While firefighters were being dispatched to assist the female hiker, Ocean Safety
personnel were responding to a male swimmer in distress at 'Anini Beach.
call.
Ocean Safety's North Roving Unit was in waters off Hanalei Bay, when it received the
The lifeguards on jet -ski responded and located the distressed swimmer approximately
700 yards off shore. They brought the swimmer, a Minnesota man, safely back to shore. Medics
arrived on scene and assisted the man.
Immediately after bringing the swimmer to shore, lifeguards returned to the water on jet -
ski and rescued two swimmers who were caught in a rip current and were being swept out into
large surf. It was later learned that the swimmers were attempting to help rescue the initial
victim using a boogie board and a rescue tube. They were brought safely back to shore and
refused further treatment.
"We are still in the high surf season here in Hawaii, and we continue to advise the public
to heed all advisories and warnings that are posted," said Ocean Safety Supervisor Kalani
Vierra. "Remember to know your limit, know the ocean conditions, swim at lifeguarded beaches,
and when in doubt, don't go out."
For updated information on ocean and weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service
website at www.weather.gov/hawaii.
For up-to-date information about ocean conditions and ocean safety, please speak to a
county lifeguard at any lifeguard station, log onto www.kauaiexplorer.com, or call the Ocean
Safety Bureau at 241-4984.