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Kauai officials suspend search for S.F. man swept into ocean

COURTESY KAUAI COUNTY
Kalihiwai Bay, where two visitors from San Francisco drowned Friday, is popular but can prove dangerous.

The Kauai Fire Department suspended its search Tuesday for a 47-year-old man who drowned after he was swept into the ocean at Kalihiwai Bay.

Brian Baker of San Francisco was hiking with Adam Griffiths, 46, and three other friends Friday afternoon in a remote area just south of the bay when Baker was swept into the ocean by high surf.

Griffiths, also of San Francisco, dove into the water to try to rescue him but was overcome by strong wave conditions. The fire department recovered Griffiths’ body Saturday morning.

“With no sign of Mr. Baker’s body over the course of the past three days and extremely hazardous ocean conditions expected to continue today, we have decided to suspend the active search,” Kauai Fire Chief Robert Westerman said in a news release. “Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to the families of both men.”

A high surf warning remained in effect on Kauai’s north- and west-facing shores until 6 p.m. Tuesday.

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