LĪHU‘E — Personnel from the Kaua‘i Fire Department rescued a 21-year-old male visitor from the waters off Secret Beach on Monday, November 2, after he was found in distress approximately 70 yards offshore.
Personnel with the Hanalei Fire Station responded and accessed the beach via the trail off Kalihiwai Road. Upon arrival, firefighters located the swimmer near the north side of the beach in a large rip current, with surf conditions reaching an estimated 10 to 15 feet.
Two firefighters entered the water, reached the swimmer within minutes, and secured him with a rescue tube. An Ocean Safety Bureau North Shore roving rescue jet ski also responded and assisted in securing the swimmer and rescuers beyond the breaking waves. Due to the large surf conditions, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 responded to the incident shortly before 11:28 a.m. to assist with extraction. Air 1 safely transported the swimmer to shore using a Billy Pugh rescue net.
The swimmer was transferred to awaiting American Medical Response personnel and transported to Wilcox Medical Center for further treatment. The two firefighters involved in the water rescue were also safely extracted by Air 1.
The scene was cleared shortly after 12:20 p.m.
