A man from Alabama drowned at Lumahai Beach yesterday afternoon while trying to rescue a distressed swimmer. Police have not released his name because his family has not yet been notified. The man, along with two other men from Alabama,
A man from Alabama drowned at Lumahai Beach yesterday afternoon while trying to rescue a distressed swimmer.
Police have not released his name because his family has not yet been notified.
The man, along with two other men from Alabama, was trying to help a 14-year-old boy from Honolulu, who had been swept out at Lumahai Beach near the river mouth around noon, according to the Kaua‘i Fire Department.
The boy’s grandfather and another visitor in the area also tried to save the boy, officials said.
Because of strong currents, rough seas and a 4-foot shorebreak, the men had trouble in the water themselves, county spokeswoman Mary Daubert said in a prepared statement.
Surfers and bodyboarders in the water helped bring everyone to shore.
A retired police officer started CPR on the Alabama man and firefighters and emergency medical technicians continued life-saving efforts upon their arrival.
The man was later pronounced dead at Wilcox Hospital.
The 14-year-old boy and the other Alabama men were brought to Wilcox for treatment.
There were two other incidents yesterday due to higher surf and strong tradewinds.
A swimmer at Tunnels Beach was rescued at about the same time that the drowning at Lumahai occurred.
On the South Shore a kite surfer ran into trouble near Maha‘ulepu and was rescued by ocean safety bureau lifeguards.
