Officials looking for woman who helped save man

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

A man found floating in the waters of Waikiki at dusk yesterday probably owes his life to a stranger, a woman who gave him first aid and then disappeared into the evening, officials said last night.

"We would certainly like to recognize this woman's selfless actions, if she would only come forward," Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Richard Soo said. "We received an alarm at 5:18 p.m. about a man, apparently a visitor to Hawai'i, a Caucasian male about 75 years old, who had been found floating in the water on the 'ewa side of the Kuhio Wall, nearest Lifeguard Station 2D."

Fire crews said the beach area was crowded with thousands of people arriving for the regular Sunset on the Beach movie, Soo said.

But nobody noticed the man's plight until a woman in the crowd spotted him.

She began performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation when he was pulled from the water, Soo said.

"By the time the Fire Department got there a few minutes later, a lifeguard had taken over and was working on the individual, and he had a pulse," Soo said. "He regained his pulse and was breathing, and by the time the fire crews got him into the ambulance at 5:33 p.m., he was saying a few words.

"This woman probably saved his life, but she went on her way, and nobody got her name," Soo said. "We would give an award and recognition if she would come forward, and I know that Ocean Safety and the Police Department give awards to citizens who help to save a life. I'm sure the victim would like to speak to her, too.

"She certainly was his angel of mercy."

Reach Walter Wright at wwright@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8054.