A Hilo man was rescued Wednesday afternoon after he apparently drove his vehicle into Wailoa Boat Harbor.
A Hilo man was rescued Wednesday afternoon after he apparently drove his vehicle into Wailoa Boat Harbor.
Responding to the 3:24 p.m. report, Hilo patrol officers arrived to find a vehicle being submerged in the Wailoa Boat Harbor with an unconscious male driver still inside. The officers and bystanders were able secure a rope from the pier onto the vehicle just before it dropped completely into the water to try to slow the vehicle from sinking while attempting to gain the attention of the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle who appeared unresponsive.
Officers and Hawaii Fire Department personnel entered the water and were able to pull the unresponsive driver through an open window to safety, according to police.
The driver was transported to the Hilo Medical Center for treatment where he regained consciousness and was otherwise uninjured, police said. He was later arrested for drunken driving, driving without a license and other traffic offenses in connection with crash. He was subsequently released pending further investigation.
There were no injuries or road closures as a result of the incident and the vehicle involved was recovered from the water.
Anyone with information relating to this crash should contact Officer Joshua Gouveia or Officer Sybastian Keltner at (808) 935-3311.
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