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Rough seas overwhelm swimmers off Big Island

Hawaii island firefighters rescued two swimmers Wednesday after they were caught in rough surf off Punaluu Beach Park.

A caller reported at about noon that two male swimmers and a lifeguard were in rough seas about 100 yards off shore.

Firefighters responded to the coastline about a half-mile south of Punaluu Beach Park and saw the lifeguard in the water signaling for help amid rough seas and high surf with 20-mph northeasterly winds, according to a Hawaii County Fire Department news release.

Two firefighters swam out to the swimmers to help them move out to the open ocean. Firefighters used a helicopter to pick up the swimmers and bring them back to shore.

Correction: >> A lifeguard was assisting the two distressed swimmers who were rescued off the Big Island Wednesday. An earlier version of this story, and the headline, said the lifeguard also was rescued.
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