Swimmer Rescued at Lumahai Beach

First responders rescued a swimmer in distress off waters at Lumahai Beach on Wednesday, June 16th, 2021 reports the County of Kauai.

According to a preliminary report, at approximately 10:50 AM, firefighters from the Hanalei Fire Station received a report from Kauai Police Dispatch of a 31-year-old male visitor in distress in waters off Lumahai Beach.

While Engine 1 and Truck 1 were in route, the Ocean Bureau’s Roving Ski Patrol located the swimmer and brought him to the lifeguard tower at Pine Trees Beach for medical support.

Firefighters and responding personnel from American Medical Response arrived on the scene at approximately 11 AM to assist with medical treatment. Accompanied with a firefighter, responding medics with AMR provided advanced life support and continued efforts on the swimmer, who was transported to Wilcox Hospital in critical condition.

Lumahai Beach near Hanalei is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches on all of Kauai. It is also one of the most dangerous. Local residents will sometimes refer to the beach as Luma-die due to the many fatalities that have occurred at the beach. The beach slopes down abruptly near the water, creating a dangerous area for swimming. Offshore, the ocean can be turbulent. And dangerous rip currents at the mouth of the Lumahai River have swept visitors out to sea. The best advice for Lumahai Beach is to stay on the sand and out of the water.