The County Council recognized the bravery and heroism of a county firefighter and two county lifeguards for a water rescue off Queen’s Bath at Princeville April 3. In that incident, Skip Simpson, 44, of Halifax, Mass. became the island’s first
The County Council recognized the bravery and heroism of a county firefighter and two county lifeguards for a water rescue off Queen’s Bath at Princeville April 3.
In that incident, Skip Simpson, 44, of Halifax, Mass. became the island’s first drowning victim.
He died that day when he and two relatives were swept out to sea from the shoreline.
Mark McKamey, a 12-year veteran of the county’s Water Safety Division, and Kris Huber, anther water safety officer, drove a jetski from the Hanalei pavilion to Queen’s Bath and brought the two men, Simpson’s brother and Simpson’s nephew, who lives on Kaua’i, to shore.
Hanalei firefighter Norman Solomon climbed down a cliff and swam 150 meters out to sea to stay with Simpson, who was unresponsive when Solomon reached him.
The Council noted Solomon, a 10-year veteran firefighter and former lifeguard with the City and County of Honolulu, risked his life in the rescue operation.
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