The Kauai Fire Department Thursday identified the island’s first drowning victim of 2002 as Skip Simpson, 44, of Halifax, Mass. Simpson died Wednesday when he and two relatives were swept by ocean swells into waters off of Queen’s Bath at
The Kauai Fire Department Thursday identified the island’s first drowning victim of 2002 as Skip Simpson, 44, of Halifax, Mass.
Simpson died Wednesday when he and two relatives were swept by ocean swells into waters off of Queen’s Bath at Princeville on Kaua’i’s North Shore.
County lifeguards rescued Simpson’s brother, took him to Hanalei Pier and administered oxygen, as he was having difficulty breathing. He was later treated at Wilcox Hospital, and released.
The third swimmer, the victim’s nephew who lives on Kaua’i, managed to get safely to shore on his own.
Simpson was unresponsive when firefighter Norman Solomon swam out around 150 yards to reach him before lifeguards from Hanalei Beach Park arrived via personal water-craft.
Several weeks ago, the county posted signs at the trail-head to Queen’s Bath, closing the area to public use because of dangerous conditions.
Since 1970, there have been at least five drownings at Princeville, all occurring in winter months when north and west swells are larger than during summer months.
