A 17-year-old Hawaiian student who got separated from his high school group and spent “about 12 hours treading water and clinging to his kayak” has been rescued with the help of the US Coast Guard.
Authorities released a video showing the moment the student, identified by the media as Kahiau Kawai, was pulled from the waters of the Pacific Ocean early Thursday morning.
“Honolulu Coast Guard Sector watchers were notified by Honolulu Fire Department personnel at 7:27 p.m. Wednesday that a 17-year-old boy had become separated from his high school rowing team about one mile south of the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. a young man is reported to have slipped on a 20-foot surf ski and was not wearing a jacket,” said a statement from the Coast Guard.
“Honolulu sector observers issued maritime emergency information broadcasts, launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, and launched a 45-foot Response Boat -Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Honolulu to search for missing youth,” it added.
COAST GUARD RESCUE ILL MAN FROM CRUISE SHIP ALMOST 170 MILES OFF CALIFORNIA COAST
Photos released by the US Coast Guard show the 17-year-old boy clinging to a kayak Thursday morning shortly before being rescued. (Coast Guard District 14)
The Coast Guard says the boy was spotted around 4:00 a.m. Thursday and “a good Samaritan, an off-duty lifeguard with the Honolulu Department of Marine Safety, rescued the boy from the water.”
“I think he was completely shocked because he wasn’t feeling well. Actually, I was crying because he was good,” this person, Noland Keaulana, was quoted by KHON2. “He said I’m worried about my mother because she probably misses me.”
COAST GUARD VIDEO SHOWS HELICOPTER RESCUE MAN IN COOLER 30 MILES OFF FLORIDA COAST AFTER WIND.
The kayak was seen floating in the water after the student, identified in media reports as Kahiau Kawai, was pulled from the water. (Coast Guard District 14)
Officials say Kawai was treated for injuries and hypothermia while in the water.
“The young man had spent about 12 hours treading water and clinging to his kayak [is] we are in critical but stable condition,” said the US Coast Guard Pacific, describing the operation as “an incredible rescue.”
Kawai’s parents released a statement thanking “State, City & County rescue teams, as well as Federal agencies, who worked tirelessly through the night to search for our son, Kahiau,” according to KHON2.
The student spent about 12 hours in the waters off the coast of Hawaii until he was rescued. (Coast Guard District 14)
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“Kahiau, who could see the rescue team looking for him, was strong, strong and brave for 11.5 hours in the dark, and is grateful to be back with his family and friends,” the statement said. “Thank you to the doctors and nurses who are taking care of him. Finally, I would like to thank all those who prayed for GOD to be with us so that he can return safely.”
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