A 16-year-old female from Oahu was rescued at Queen’s Bath in Princeville, Kauai on Monday afternoon, March 15th, 2022, reports the County of Kauai.
First responders were dispatched to the area around noon, when they received a report of a girl trapped on the rocks and surrounded by dangerous surf.
Hanalei firefighters and Rescue 3 personnel aboard Air 1 responded to the scene. Lifeguards with the North Roving Patrol Unit also responded on Jet Ski and remained on standby in waters outside of the large surf break.
In between dangerous waves, a Hanalei firefighter, who had hiked down to the scene, swam over to the victim and brought the teenager to safety without further incident (video).
The teenager, who sustained non-life threatening lacerations, refused treatment from officials and was released at the scene to her family.
The access gate to Queen’s Bath has been closed to the public since October 2021 for the high surf winter season. The gate remains closed until further notice. Unfortunately, visitors to the location can easily go around the fence.
“We are grateful to our first responders who were able to act swiftly in this extremely dangerous rescue,” said Fire Chief Steven Goble. “This incident could have easily turned into a devastating outcome. Queen’s Bath remains closed for a reason, and we urge all beachgoers to take these warnings seriously, for yourself and for our first responders who also put their lives at risk.”
Queen’s Bath is a notoriously dangerous location on Kauai. Numerous injuries and fatalities have occurred at Queen’s Bath, including a 23-year-old woman from California who was swept off the rocks by powerful waves in December 2018 and drowned. The area is especially dangerous in winter months but dangerous waves can happen at any time of the year at Queen’s Bath.
Leave a comment