KAILUA-KONA — Two people apparently died after going into distress while swimming in waters off the North Kohala coast on Thursday.
Around 1:13 p.m., personnel from the North Kohala stationed responded to a report of a swimmer in distress at Mahukona Beach Park, according to an HFD media release. Upon arrival, they found an elderly woman who was unresponsive, not breathing and without a pulse.
The woman had been brought to shore by others on scene. The woman was treated by medics and taken to the hospital, but later died, according to the release that stated the incident was fatal.
Just an hour later, the same rescue personnel were sent to a report of another swimmer in distress, this time at Pololu Valley. HFD’s Chopper 2 was the first to arrive on scene, as access to the valley is via a hike from the top, to find a man unresponsive, not breathing and without a pulse. Bystanders were performing CPR.
The man was transported via the helicopter to an awaiting HFD ambulance at the top of the valley. He was taken by medics to the hospital, but later died, according to the release that stated the incident was also fatal.