Three Kaua’i County firefighters saved a 30-year-old Lithuanian man from drowning last week in a rescue off a Kapa’a beach. According to the Fire Department’s battalion chief, a call came in Wednesday that two swimmers were in trouble in the
Three Kaua’i County firefighters saved a 30-year-old Lithuanian man from drowning last week in a rescue off a Kapa’a beach.
According to the Fire Department’s battalion chief, a call came in Wednesday that two swimmers were in trouble in the ocean. When rescuers arrived, a female visitor had already made it back to shore but her male companion was 75 yards out and floundering.
Fire apparatus operator Sueo Higa and firefighter Jim Pelegrino went out to the man, and firefighter Gerald Shinn followed with a surfboard.
The man was brought to shore and taken immediately to Wilcox Memorial Hospital, where he was held overnight, treated and then released.
Twelve swimmers, divers, and surfers drowned off Kauai’s beaches last year. Last Wednesday’s rescue kept this year free of drowning fatalities so far.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
