Maui firefighter critically injured after being sucked into storm drain

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Maui firefighter was critically injured Friday after being sucked into a 4-foot wide storm drain in Kihei and swept to sea during heavy rains, officials said.

Officials said the firefighter was carried by storm waters approximately 800 yards to where the drain emptied into the ocean.

The incident happened near Waiapo Street about 1 p.m. Friday.

Sources said he was helping to clear out a storm drain when he was sucked in.

“There were crews from our county public works there as well, who were able to provide quick information on what the path was for the drain, and where eventually anything flowing through the drain, the storm drain, would end up,” said Mahina Martin, the county’s Chief of Communications.

“And so our fire crews and emergency personnel was able to rapidly get to that site and seek out that firefighter and to retrieve him and call for immediate medical attention.”

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He was pulled out unresponsive minutes later. CPR was performed immediately and he did gain his pulse back.

The firefighter remains at Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition.

In a statement issued earlier Friday evening, Martin said:

Fire Chief Brad Ventura and Mayor Richard Bissen, Jr., immediately went to the hospital’s emergency room this afternoon to offer support to firefighters and family members who were there. We are focused on supporting the firefighter’s family and ask that our community join us in prayers for his recovery. No additional details are available at this time.

An investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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