Kauai man, 36, hospitalized in critical condition after attempting to save girl and her mom

A 36-year-old Kauai man was hospitalized on Saturday after lifeguards and firefighters worked together to rescue three people who got into trouble in the ocean near an area known as Marine Camp.

According to a Kauai County spokesperson, bystanders said a young female was swimming behind Wailua Golf Course at approximately 2 p.m. Saturday when rough seas overcame her, causing her mother to enter the water in an attempt to assist.

The mother and daughter, both Kauai residents, were unable to get to shore on their own. The man, a Lawai resident, saw what was going on and went into the ocean after them, but was overcome by rough seas as well.

County lifeguards from nearby Lydgate Beach were the first to respond, entering the water with rescue tubes and fins, while a Kauai Fire Department rescue crew from the Kapaa Station arrived shortly thereafter and sent one firefighter into the water on a rescue board while two others remained on shore to act as spotters. KFD’s Air 1 helicopter also assisted with the rescue.

As one lifeguard assisted the two females safely back to shore, the remaining personnel in the water found the man face-down and unresponsive in the water, but temporarily lost sight of him in high surf.

Additional lifeguards from Kauai’s East Roving Patrol Unit arrived and entered the water on personal watercraft. The man was located and brought to shore on the rescue board, where crews immediately started CPR.

American Medical Response paramedics were also on scene, continuing advanced life support on the man as they transported him to Wilcox Medical Center. He reportedly regained a pulse and currently remains in critical condition.

The two females did not require additional medical assistance and were released at the scene.