A rough swell along Oahu’s North Shore had washed three tourists into the ocean Monday, killing one man and leaving two women badly mauled by the rough waves, before lifeguards could reach them.
The incident was at Keiki Beach, the beach famous for dangerous waves, despite having plenty of warning signs posted around the beach. Lifeguards were quick to respond but tragedy struck before they could rescue all three.
Tragedy struck Hawaii’s Oahu North Shore as huge waves swept three tourists off the beach and into the ocean Monday morning.
Two women from Oklahoma and a man from California were pulled into dangerous waters by Keiki Beach, notorious for its strong shorebreak and never having a lifeguard tower.
Emergency services responded quickly after a 911 call was made around 8 a.m. Lifeguards had placed “no swimming” signs because of a high surf advisory, but the tourists were swept in by waves that reached as high as eight feet early in the day and would reach up to 18 feet by afternoon.
Daring lifeguards swam out and rescued the tourists, bringing them to shore on rescue boards.
The 63-year-old man was unresponsive and could not be resuscitated. He died at the scene. Both women were taken to a local hospital. One woman is in critical condition, the other is serious but stable.
The coastline at Oahu is stunningly beautiful yet very dangerous. Each year, about 40 people drown, and lifeguards rescue over 6,000.
Warning signs notwithstanding, the surf is still unpredictable and dangerous for all who live on and visit the islands.
