Man, 23, transported in critical condition after found submerged in Wailulku River

A 23-year-old man who was discovered underwater in the Wailuku River for about two minutes was flown to Hilo Medical Center in critical condition Saturday night, Hawaii County fire officials said.

The man was pulled from Wailuku River about half a mile above Rainbow Falls and bystanders began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, fire officials said. 

Firefighters were called at 6:28 p.m. and the victim was treated en route to Hilo Medical Center as the Hawaii County Fire Department’s helicopter flew him to Hilo Medical Center’s heli pad, where he was then transported to the Hilo Medical Center emergency room, fire officials said.