N. Shore search The search resumed at first light today for a 20-year-old Massachusetts woman pulled out to sea by 10- to 15-foot waves yesterday on Oahu's North Shore.
resumes for
Massachusetts woman
She was sucked into the ocean
by 10- to 15-foot surf yesterdayBy Rod Antone and Lisa Asato
rantone@starbulletin.com
lasato@starbulletin.comAlso this morning at about 7 am swimmer suffered neck injuries at Waimea Bay Beach Park in waters said to be 8 to 12 feet high.
The swimmer was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital.
There were no plans to close any beaches this morning, lifeguards said.
Honolulu police said the victim and her boyfriend were walking along Oahu's North Shore at Pupukea Beach Park when the waves dragged her out into deeper waters.
"The boyfriend tried to save her, but it was too rough out there," said HPD Detective Phil Camero.
Honolulu fire rescue crews got the emergency call a little before 1 p.m., but fire officials said waves threatened to swamp the rescue craft and forced crews to abandon the search at about 4 p.m.
Police said the 21-year-old boyfriend's yells for help attracted bystanders, who witnessed the girl struggling above water, then disappearing when a set came in.
Fire department Capt. Kenison Tejada said the ocean was too dirty for rescue divers to see anything underwater. HFD's Air One rescue helicopter searched the area until sundown. A Coast Guard helicopter crew continued the search using night-vision goggles, but to no avail.
Camero said the couple arrived on Oahu Monday and had planned to enroll at Leeward Community College together next semester.