Surfers Rescue Visitor Who Hit Head at ‘Most Dangerous' Wave on Oahu's South Shore
On Thursday, a 24-year-old visitor from New York jumped from the rocks at China Walls, a popular South Shore, Oahu surf spot, and hit his head.
Surfers saw the incident, which happened just before 6:00pm, and jumped into action, after the victim was being swept out to sea. They used their surfboards to get the man to shore and keep him afloat. No word if he was unconscious or not.
Emergency medical services personnel and lifeguards reached the scene within minutes and began administering life support on the man.
According to Hawaii News Now, “He [the victim] was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.”
In a recent video from Jamie O’Brien, he called the wave “The Most Dangerous Spot on the South Shore.” There’s the rocks, for sure, which can be dangerous, but that might be a bit on an exaggerated claim.
“This is the wave right here,” JOB says in the video. "You just takeoff right here alongside this wall. It can be really dangerous. I actually saw Kaikea [Elias] get shredded up really bad. It looked like he wiped out at Teahupo’o.”
Also, just last year, two swimmers needed rescue after being knocked into the ocean at the same spot. According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:
“A 23-year-old man who swallowed water and suffered multiple abrasions is in critical condition, and a 32-year-old woman is in serious condition with abrasions over most of her body, the Honolulu Emergency Services Department reported.
“Honolulu Ocean Safety received a call at around 2:15 p.m. about two swimmers in distress at the area. With the assistance of good Samaritans, lifeguards and Honolulu Fire Department personnel rescued both swimmers from the water.”
So, yeah, unless you know what you’re doing, probably a good idea to stay away from this spot.
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