Coast Guard rescues 62-year-old kayaker blown out to sea off Maui
A 62-year-old woman was rescued early this morning after her kayak was blown out to sea by a squall yesterday afternoon, the Coast Guard reported.
Crew members from a 45-foot Response Boat from Coast Guard Station Maui initially spotted Jill Lee at 12:45 a.m. on radar about a quarter mile offshore, officials said.
The woman apparently was swimming with her kayak in tow.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Barbers Point spotted Lee moments later and lowered a rescue swimmer who helped the woman to shore and offered first aid.
Emergency Medical Services transported Lee back to Camp Olowalu on West Maui, where she denied further medical attention.
According to the Coast Guard, Lee was reportedly kayaking with a friend when weather separated them around 4 p.m. The friend returned to shore thinking she may have paddled in on her own, but ended up calling authorities.
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