Distressed swimmers rescued

WAILUA — County lifeguards and firefighters rescued three people in distress from waters off Wailua on Saturday afternoon. One person remains in critical condition.

At approximately 2 p.m., three swimmers — two females and a male — were reported in distress in rough waters behind the Wailua Golf Course near the area known as Marine Camp.

Lifeguards from the Lydgate Park tower were first on scene, and entered the water. Firefighters from the Kapa‘a fire station soon arrived, and one rescuer paddled out into the water.

One lifeguard reached the two female swimmers and brought them safely to shore. The remaining personnel in the water spotted the third swimmer face-down and unresponsive, but in their attempt to reach the man they temporarily lost sight of him in the surf.

Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau lifeguards from the Eastside roving unit arrived and entered the water on a Jet Ski. All units in the water located the unresponsive man and brought him to shore on a rescue board, where personnel immediately began administering CPR. American Medical Response medics on scene continued CPR and advanced life support on the man as they transported him to Wilcox Medical Center.

The man, 36, of Lawa‘i, regained a pulse and currently remains at Wilcox Medical Center in critical condition.

Officials later learned from bystanders that the young female became distressed while swimming. Her mother entered the water to help her but became distressed as well. The male swimmer jumped into the water and was trying to assist them both.

The two female swimmers, both residents, did not require medical assistance and were released at the scene.

Responding units also included the county emergency helicopter, Air 1, rescue specialists from Lihu‘e fire station and a battalion chief.