Rough seas prompt rescues off Puna

KAILUA-KONA — Rough seas resulted in the rescue of three people Friday afternoon in Puna.

Hawaii Fire Department personnel responded at 12:59 p.m. to a report of a swimmer in distress in waters off the end of Ala Heiau Road in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision, according to the department.

When they arrived on scene less than 10 minutes later, they found a bystander performing CPR on a woman who was already out of the water. Fire rescue personnel estimated she was in her 30s.

Medics then took over the effort, and transported her to Hilo Medical Center. No additional information was available on her condition as of press time. The incident was listed as a possible drowning.

While personnel was assisting the woman, two free divers were also found to be in distress and unable to make it to shore, the department said. Rescue swimmers were able to extricate the divers from the water using a Billy Pugh net and Chopper 1.

Both divers declined medical treatment, according to the department.