Official Report…Jeep over cliff/distressed swimmer, South Point Cliffs, Naalehu
3:44am, Sunday, 2/25/2024
8 HFD apparatus; 14 HFD personnel
Coast Guard chopper & plane used
Swimmer in distress after driving his Jeep over the cliffside at South Point.
HFD, HPD and Coast Guard responded for a swimmer in distress in the waters off the Ka’u coastline at South Point. HPD, C0-11, C-01, CO-02, Coast Guard C-130 and rescue Chopper responded to this incident. Upon arrival the person was found Aprox 100 yards off shore in the water. It was determined that the person accidentally drove his rented Jeep off the cliffs. He was alone in the Jeep. The swimmer was coached to a safe spot at the bottom of the cliffs where he could exit the water. The swimmer remained safely on the shore line out of the water and surf but was at a 50′-60′ cliff. The person was retrieved by technical rope by C0-02 rescue personnel and brought back to safety awaiting EMS personnel. The person suffered from some facial injuries scratches and slight hypothermia. The person was treated and transported by C-02 and EMS. All units returned to quarters.
