Four Kauai drownings double last year’s total
Four persons — all visitors — have drowned off Kauai this year, double the number of drownings for all of last year.
Two drownings took place last week.
A 71-year-old Colorado woman drowned, the third person to drown there this year.
At about 11:49 a.m. Wednesday, Wendy Anderson was swimming in waters off of Poipu Beach, the Kauai Fire Department said. Beachgoers observed Anderson face-down in the water. They pulled Anderson out of the water, called 911 and performed CPR until rescue personnel arrived.
Rescuers continued CPR until paramedics arrived and transported her to the Wilcox Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
David Nichols, 65, of New York died Saturday afternoon while swimming at a spot called Kitchens off of Lydgate Beach near Wailua Golf Course. Police said Nichols was swimming with his daughter. She swam in but Nichols had yet to return to the beach. She called 911 for help.
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Police said lifeguards on an all-terrain vehicle located Nichols’ body floating approximately 25 yards from the shore. Fire rescue administered CPR before he was transported to Wilcox Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Brian Baker and Adam Griffiths, both of San Francisco, drowned off of Kalihiwai Bay on Jan. 18. The men were traveling with three others when they had stopped at a remote, rocky area off of South Kalihiwai Road. Baker was swept out to sea after a rogue wave struck him. Griffiths attempted to rescue him but was also swept in.