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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 2, 2009

Two crash victims, injured hunter rescued on Kauai


Advertiser Staff

Kauai Fire Department rescue specialists have rescued two victims of an ultralight crash in Hanapepe Valley and an injured hunter in Kokee.

The Coast Guard provided assistance during the rescue operation.

One victim of the ultralight crash was taken out of the valley yesterday evening, and the second was rescued this morning, KFD and Coast Guard spokesmen said.

At around 5 a.m. today, Air-1 with a rescue captain from the Lihue fire station aboard attempted to return to Hanapepe Valley to pick up the second ultralight crash victim and two rescue specialists who had spent the night in the valley.

Extremely windy and rainy conditions prevented them from going into the Hanapepe site so they flew to Kokee and picked up an injured hunter on Mokihana Ridge.

The hunter was flown to Waimea Canyon Park, and then taken to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital via ambulance.

After completing the Kokee rescue operation, Air-1 with the rescue captain on board returned to Hanapepe Valley.

The weather had improved and the ultralight crash victim and one rescue specialist were flown to Waimea Canyon Park, where awaiting medics then drove the victim to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Air-1 then returned to Hanapepe Valley to pick up the other rescue specialist.

Yesterday evening, the other victim in the ultralight crash had been picked up from the site in Hanapepe Valley and taken to KVMH.

Both ultralight crash victims were airlifted to Queen’s Medical Center.

The injured hunter was treated at KVMH and released.