‘ANINI BEACH — A multi-agency search for a missing swimmer on the North Shore ended with no sightings on Tuesday.
The effort to locate Prakash Shroff, 56, resumed in the early morning hours on Tuesday, nearly two days after the Gilroy, California, man was reported missing on Sunday afternoon. The search was conducted by county, state and federal agenices.
The effort will resume “at daybreak” Wednesday, the Kaua‘i Fire Department said in a statement on Tuesday.
Shroff was swimming with two family members shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday, when they found themselves in distress. While the two family members were able to make it back to shore with the assistance of bystanders, Shroff could not be located.
KFD Ocean Safety Bureau lifeguards conducted an initial search of the area, and were then joined by other search and rescue personnel, including rescue specialists aboard the county’s Air 1 rescue helicopter and U.S. Coast Guard.
Firefighters from the Hanalei station, as well as a battalion chief and Kaua‘i Police Department personnel also assisted in the search on Sunday.
“The Coast Guard continued its search through the night and all agencies resumed their efforts at first light Monday morning,” the fire department said. “Rescuers (reported) low visibility and dangerous conditions, as there (was) a strong current and large surf in surrounding waters.”
The two swimmers, who made it back to shore, were treated by paramedics on-scene and released.
The Visitor Aloha Society of Kaua‘i and Life’s Bridges are assisting Shroff’s family.
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
