In the early hours of the morning on the southernmost tip of Hawaii’s Big Island, a 27-year-old tourist from Canada found himself in a precarious situation when he inadvertently steered his rented Jeep off a cliff. Despite the sudden plunge, he managed to swim to the shore, where firefighters orchestrated a daring rescue operation using a combination of ropes and helicopters to hoist him to safety.
Following his harrowing ordeal, the man received treatment for minor facial injuries and mild hypothermia, as detailed in a press release issued by the Hawaii County Fire Department.
Emergency responders, including firefighters, police personnel, and members of the US Coast Guard, swiftly converged on the cliffs of South Point in Naalehu upon receiving reports of a distressed swimmer in the ocean around 3:45 am on Sunday, according to the release.
After navigating approximately 100 yards to the shore at the base of a cliff measuring between 50 to 60 feet in height, the stranded tourist awaited rescue efforts amidst the tumultuous waves.
Michael Moody, a resident of the Big Island who was camping nearby for a spearfishing excursion, recounted how the sounds of the rescue mission roused him from sleep. By the time he became aware of the situation, the tourist had already found refuge in the water, Moody disclosed during a recent interview.
Moody emphasized the perilous nature of the road leading to the cliffside, particularly for individuals unfamiliar with its treacherous terrain. He described how the route transitions from a main thoroughfare to a dirt path, spanning a mere 100 feet, before abruptly plunging into a steep incline of approximately 20 feet, culminating at the precipice's edge.
The individual involved, identified as a 27-year-old visitor from Canada, was reportedly ill-prepared for the challenges posed by the area, as indicated by statements provided to KITV by local law enforcement.
Reflecting on the incident, Moody lamented the hazards that tourists often encounter due to their lack of familiarity with the surroundings. He underscored the importance of exercising caution in unfamiliar environments to avert potential mishaps.
The rescue operation, which mobilized a team of 16 individuals, posed considerable risks to the responders involved, particularly given the turbulent sea conditions prevailing in the vicinity, noted Mayor Mitch Roth. He characterized the incident as a testament to the considerable strain it placed on community resources and underscored the need for vigilance to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
While the location is known among locals as a fishing spot, it remains a relatively obscure destination for tourists, especially during the early hours of the morning, Roth remarked.
