Raging flash flood stream waters nearly claimed four victims at Kipu Falls Friday afternoon, a day of deceiving stream conditions due to sunny coastal waters with light winds, but a stormy island interior. A report from the Kaua‘i Fire Department
Raging flash flood stream waters nearly claimed four victims at Kipu Falls Friday afternoon, a day of deceiving stream conditions due to sunny coastal waters with light winds, but a stormy island interior.
A report from the Kaua‘i Fire Department said first a woman was swept over Kipu Falls by flood waters. She was rescued by the quick action of two Outfitter Kauai staff, said KPD Battalion Chief Bob Kaden.
A second rescue was needed at around the same time when three bystanders were swept down stream and stranded midstream.
The KPD called in Hanapepe-based Inter-Island Helicopters’ rescue pilot Ken D’ Attilio who used a long line rig to extricate the three persons, Kaden said.
Scenic, background filming was underway at the time of the rescues for an ESPN sports network segment on the Kauai Classic one-man canoe race set for today. The footage is to air later this year.
Kipu Falls is on private land and has been the site of a drowning death of a University of Hawai‘i student, and serious injuries to others who dive into the freshwater stream from the falls.
