Good Samaritans rescue distressed swimmer at Green Sands Beach

A 40-year-old woman was hospitalized Monday afternoon after she apparently became distressed while swimming in waters off Greens Sands Beach in Ka‘u.

The Hawaii Fire Department was dispatched to the scene, also known as Papakolea Beach, shortly after 1:30 p.m. Upon their arrival, rescue personnel found Good Samaritans had pulled the woman from the water and brought her to shore.

A press release from the department state’s the woman was initially unresponsive, however, by the time rescue personnel arrived she was awake, but unable to reach the top of the trailhead.

Two fire rescue specialists assisted the woman in reaching the top, according to the department. There, she was loaded into Chopper 2, assessed by flight medical crew and flown to Kona Community Hospital.