Kaua’i Fire Department personnel, AMR paramedics and two golfers helped rescue a swimmer off the Wailua Golf Course about 2 p.m. Wednesday. According to American Medical Response personnel, Derek Stein, of Koloa, started swimming from the Lihu’e side of the
Kaua’i Fire Department personnel, AMR paramedics and two golfers helped rescue a swimmer off the Wailua Golf Course about 2 p.m. Wednesday.
According to American Medical Response personnel, Derek Stein, of Koloa, started swimming from the Lihu’e side of the beach but got caught in a dangerous rip current about 100 yards offshore, which he wouldn’t have been able to see from where he entered the water.
His shouts for help from the ocean caught the attention of two golfers at the second hole, which overlooks the ocean – they abandoned their game and rushed in to help. Luckily, one of the two was a strong swimmer and brought the swimmer back to shore, said Lihue Fire Station Capt. Colin Wilson.
The two golfers are security guards at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, fire department personnel said.
The fire department dispatched their rescue boat from the Kapa’a Small Boat Ramp, but were recalled once word came that the golfers and had brought Stein back to shore. The swimmer refused transport by ambulance to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
