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Pair swept out to sea cling to stick to survive overnight before rescue

Hawaii County authorities this morning rescued two people swept out to sea about 500 yards offshore of Highway 240 in Honokaa.

The victims — a male and a female — had been clinging to a stick to stay afloat while being circled by three large tiger sharks, according to the Hawaii County Fire Department. They had been fishing Thursday when they were swept out to sea late in the afternoon.

After a tour helicopter spotted the two in the water, the Fire Department deployed two choppers at about 8:30 a.m., using aerial maneuvers to try and scare off the sharks. Firefighters were able to rescue them via a basket and bring them to shore with minor injuries.

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