HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR072619DistressedkitesurferrescuedfromwatersoffWailuaF� OF
THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
qa 4 MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: July 26, 2019
KAUA`1 FIRE DEPARTMENT
KILIPAKI VAUGHAN, DEPUTY CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Distressed kite surfer rescued from waters off Wailua
WAILUA — Firefighters rescued a 59-year-old man from rough waters off Wailua
Thursday evening.
Kapa`a firefighters, along with Rescue 3 personnel aboard Air 1 and the on -duty
battalion chief, were dispatched shortly after 6 p.m. for a possible kite surfer in distress about
500 yards from the Kauai Shores hotel in Wailua.
Once on scene, Air 1 located the man and attempted to retrieve him from the water but
he refused assistance.
Officials remained on scene to monitor the kite surfer as he attempted to swim back to
shore. As darkness started to set and he began to drift out further to sea, rescuers resumed
efforts and called the U.S. Coast Guard to provide additional assistance with its boat and
helicopter assets.
Air 1 refueled and returned to the scene, where they located the kite surfer and used a
Billy Pugh net to retrieve him from the water.
The man, who is a Wailua resident, was safely airlifted to a nearby landing zone at
Lydgate Beach Park at approximately 7:45 p.m. He was in good condition and refused medical
treatment.
"We would like to remind all beachgoers to heed ocean safety warnings from first
responders and officials," said Deputy Fire Chief Kilipaki Vaughan. "We are very grateful t
firefighters, rescue specialists, and partners at the U.S. Coast Guard for their diligence to
prevent what could have been a tragedy."
For updated information about ocean conditions, please speak to a county lifeguard, log
onto www.hawaiibeachsafety.com, or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984.