The incident occurred at Zablan Beach Park in Oahu on Monday, March 16 — and officials tell PEOPLE it "wouldn't have happened on a regular day"
Credit: Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Seven male swimmers were rescued after being caught in a rip current at Zablan Beach Park in Oahu on Monday
- The rip current is a result of the recent Kona Low storm which caused the river mouth near the beach to overflow with water
- The Honolulu Ocean Safety Department has seen an uptick in ocean safety incidents since it is spring break on the island
Seven swimmers were rescued after being caught in a rip current, according to Hawaiian officials.
The incident occurred at Zablan Beach Park in Nanakuli, Oahu just before 6 p.m. local time on Monday, March 16, when seven swimmers were caught in a riptide 100 yards offshore, the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department said in a release obtained by PEOPLE. The group included a 12-year-old boy, according to Hawaii News Now.
Fortunately, the swimmers were extracted from the ocean by lifeguards and jet ski operators from Ocean Safety along with the help of a nearby bodyboarder, who held two members of the group afloat until rescue personnel could arrive.
Chris Latronic, the public information officer for the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, tells PEOPLE that the situation was the confluence of two events, including the recent Kona Low storms.
"It was an interesting situation because we just had big rains that broke open all the rivers, especially on the west side," says Latronic, adding that the low pressure system caused the most damage he had seen in years, including mass flooding and power outages throughout the entire island system.
In the case of Zablan Beach Park, the Kona Low storm altered the beach to create a sandbar, which is were the group of swimmers were until they were rapidly pulled out to sea.
Compounding the issue is the fact that it's spring break, Latronic said, noting that the uptick in beachgoers also leads to an increase of water incidents.
"This wouldn't have happened on a regular day," says Latronic.
Thankfully, Zablan Beach Park is manned by two lifeguards, who quickly alerted the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department once they noticed the at-risk swimmers.
In the meantime, a local bodyboarder, who Latronic says does not have a background in ocean safety yet does have a lifeguarding background, quickly hopped into action to hold two of the swimmers afloat.
To complete the successful rescue operation, a jetski operator, who continually patrols the island, quickly arrived and made multiple trips to bring all seven swimmers back to shore. A mobile lifeguard lieutenant also assisted the rescue, Latronic said.
In the aftermath, four of the swimmers — a 21-year-old man, two 20-year-old men and a 12-year-old boy — were hospitalized, reported local ABC affiliate KITV4. Three men, also evaluated at the beach, declined to be taken to the hospital.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In their statement, the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department urged swimmers to exercise caution when swimming near river mouths, especially during periods of strong water flow.
Zablan adds the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department was particularly equipped to handle such a complex rescue as recruits have to complete an intense three-part agility test, basic first aid and four weeks of class to graduate as an official beach lifeguard.
"If there wasn't a lifeguard these kids would have drowned out there," he says.
Read the full article here
