Drowning victim’s body recovered in Wailuku River

Police recovered the body of a drowning victim early Wednesday evening in an area of the upper Wailuku River in Piihonua known as Narnia.

According to a Fire Department statement, three people on a river bank told would-be rescuers a family member jumped into the water and had difficulty swimming. They jumped in trying to save him, but were unsuccessful.

Fire Department personnel had to clear fallen trees using a chainsaw to make access easier for fire and police personnel. Two Fire Rescue specialists conducted a free-dive search and found the victim on the river bottom in about 30 feet of water.

The victim’s name, age and hometown has not been released.

Eight units responded to the 3:45 p.m. alarm, including the chopper and two medical units, and the first unit arrived 12 minutes later.