A husband and wife vacationing from Illinois apparently drowned in ocean waters off Lumaha‘i Beach yesterday. Witnesses reported the couple was watching waves from rocks at Lumaha‘i Point when a large wave washed over them and the rocks, pulling them
A husband and wife vacationing from Illinois apparently drowned in ocean waters off Lumaha‘i Beach yesterday.
Witnesses reported the couple was watching waves from rocks at Lumaha‘i Point when a large wave washed over them and the rocks, pulling them into the water.
Their son, 11, was also knocked onto the rocks, but was pulled to safety by bystanders.
They are the first two people to drown in ocean waters off Kaua‘i this year, a Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau supervisor confirmed.
Wave faces were between 10 and 12 feet, small by North Shore winter standards and, unfortunately, making for “inviting” conditions for beach-goers, said Kalani Vierra, KFD Ocean Safety Bureau supervisor.
In a scenario all too familiar even to Hanalei lifeguards who responded too late to save lives, the smallish waves lured visitors to the ocean’s edge, an unexpected, large wave crashed, pulling people into the water, where ocean currents and panic likely created the deadly situation, Vierra said.
The Hanalei lifeguards, whom Vierra would not name, have been called upon four or five times to pull lifeless bodies from ocean waters and administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation in attempts to revive victims, he said.
An emergency call was made to dispatch at 11:06 a.m. yesterday.
Lifeguards from Hanalei arrived at the scene and were able to pull the man and woman out of the ocean. CPR was performed, though it was unsuccessful.
A KFD vehicle subsequently arrived, and attempts to revive the couple with the automated external defibrillator (AED) were also unsuccessful.
Medics pronounced the man and woman dead at the scene.
Bystanders who pulled the child to safety remained with the child until Kaua‘i Police Department officers arrived.
Kauai Hospice officials were also called to respond to the situation. The child was initially in the custody of KPD, although state child welfare officials have taken responsibility for the boy.
Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, and his concern for their son.
“My heart goes out to this young boy and his family,” said Baptiste. “I would like to ask all of Kaua‘i to keep this boy, who tragically lost his parents, and his family in their thoughts and prayers.”
An autopsy will be done to determine the exact cause of death.
Associate Editor Paul C. Curtis may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net.
