A 22-year-old visitor nearly drowned at 'Anini Beach yesterday and was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital in critical condition.

The woman had been snorkeling offshore near the boat ramp at 'Anini at 3 p.m. when bystanders heard what they thought was a scream.

A vacationing police officer swam out and found the woman face down in the water, Kaua'i officials said. The officer brought her to shore and tried to resuscitate her.

Hanalei firefighters and paramedics took over and performed advanced life support.