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Kauai lifeguards recovered Saturday the body of a 53-year-old woman who became distressed while swimming off Kauai’s north shore, Kauai officials said.
Kauai police identified the woman as Janet Ballesteros, of Hanamaulu.
A state park ranger reported Ballesteros was in distress off Hanakapiai Beach at about 11:30 a.m. Firefighters, lifeguards, and the U.S. Coast Guard responded.
Lifeguards found Ballesteros’ body in a nearby cave, but couldn’t reach her because of the high surf and dangerous ocean conditions.
Eventually, lifeguards were able to bring Ballesteros out of the cave and transfer her to a fire helicopter that brought her to the Kee Beach landing zone.
Kauai authorities urged beachgoers to visit beaches with lifeguards along east or south-facing shores during a high surf warning scheduled to be in effect from 6 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Monday.
Dangerous waters!