A 17-year-old student almost survived a kayaking trip off the coast of Hawaii. The boy capsized his sports equipment and the current pushed him further and further into the sea. The teenager was only rescued after twelve hours.
Kahiau Kawai was attending a high school practice when the accident occurred. “It was quite rough there, the waves were super strong and I just couldn’t fight the current,” he told CNN.
He was unable to get back onto the kayak because he could not turn the six-metre-long vehicle. So he drifted away – when night fell he became seriously worried. “It was pretty rough out there, the waves were super strong and I just couldn’t fight the current,” Kawai said.
The aerial search was ultimately successful
His cries for help went unanswered, but the Honolulu Fire Department launched a search for the teen, involving 50 emergency responders. The US Coast Guard was also involved. Helicopters flew over the area. “I’ve seen them fly to a certain point several times, but they didn’t fly as far away as I did – and that scared me a little,” the young Hawaiian explained.
Only after eight hours of searching was he discovered by a US Coast Guard aircraft – by which time it was already four in the morning. A rescue boat was sent to the location to help the boy. In total he floated in the sea for twelve hours before he could be pulled out of the water. “It sounded like hyenas and monkeys in our room as we jumped up and down with joy at the news of the rescue,” the teen’s mother said.
The US Coast Guard post:
The hours of fear had taken their toll on the family: “We struggled with thoughts of hope and despair,” the mother explained. The teen was eventually taken to hospital in stable but stable condition and has since been released.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
