WAILUA — Emergency rescue crews responded to multiple calls over the weekend after heavy rains created dangerous conditions in the water on Kaua‘i. A 33-year-old Japanese visitor drowned Saturday afternoon in Wailua River, county officials confirmed Sunday. The woman was
WAILUA — Emergency rescue crews responded to multiple calls over the weekend after heavy rains created dangerous conditions in the water on Kaua‘i.
A 33-year-old Japanese visitor drowned Saturday afternoon in Wailua River, county officials confirmed Sunday.
The woman was part of a tour group that kayaked down the Wailua River and then hiked up to what is commonly known as Secret Falls.
When the group headed back to where the kayaks were parked, the woman entered the water, turned onto her back and was swept down the river around 12:36 p.m., despite efforts to save her.
The tour guide and a member of the group jumped in the water to try to rescue the woman, but were unable to hold onto her as the current swept her downstream.
At around 2:30 p.m., the woman’s body was spotted by a paddler in hau bushes along the riverbank and retrieved some 75 yards downstream from Kamokila Village by Kaua‘i Fire Department and state Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Firefighters and KFD rescue specialists then went on to assist the stranded kayak tour group and brought them to safety.
The victim’s name and tour company were withheld from the county news release.
The Wailua River was running swiftly Sunday due to the heavy rains Saturday, county officials said.
Emergency personnel responded to a call around 4:16 p.m. Sunday regarding two people who were trapped on the Wailua River around the corner from the Fern Grotto, county spokeswoman Mary Daubert said.
Firefighters and DLNR personnel responded. They used a private vessel to get to the scene and brought the Washington state couple, who were in their 20s, to safety. No injuries were reported and the couple was released at the scene.
A 26-year-old male visitor was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital Sunday morning after being rescued at Wailua Beach, a county news release states. He was treated for exhaustion and later released.
The Kansas City resident had been swimming at Wailua Beach at around 11:20 a.m. when he was swept out to sea. He was brought back to shore by family members and bystanders.
The man was taken to Wilcox, where he was treated and released.
The public is advised to refrain from any water activities in streams during periods of heavy rains, county officials said.
Check the weather before going out and also check with hotel staff, the nearest fire station or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984.
