Danger in the Backyard

When Chris and I moved into our new house, the property manager gave us a VERY LONG moving in orientation. It included information like: "Clean out your lint trap between every load," and "How to use your garbage disposal," etc. I suppose if you are going to pay someone a hefty fee to manage your property, they need to justify their fees.

One of the items covered was basically that our backyard is dangerous and we promise not to go back there. I think we even signed a liability waiver. At the time I thought it was all very overbearing, but then yesterday I was driving home and I saw a helicopter hovering at the end of the street. (When I drive down Paradise Dr, there's a clear view of the ocean straight ahead of me.)

As I came over the last hill I then saw the police and fire trucks. My first thought was someone's house was on fire. However, as I drove past the scene, I could see people standing on the coast staring into the water and watching the helicopter. I went zipping around the corner to my house to tell Chris (My orange Honda Fit is great for zipping!) and as I did the helicopter flew right along the coast right at car level. It was definitely strange to see a helicopter at eye level out my passenger window.

I dashed into the house and yelled at Chris that something was happening down the street and bounded into my now dangerous backyard. Chris followed with the binoculars and it became quickly apparent that it wasn't a fire, but a rescue!

RESCUE HELICOPTER LOWERING THE BASKET WITH RESCUE DIVER

I, of course, ran back to the house with a shout at Chris: "I'm getting your camera...this is SO blog-worthy!" So for you, dear readers, I have documented this thrilling episode for you to read about. Anyway, camera secured and duly taking photographs, we could see the basket being lowered and Chris saw them toss something down to the distressed swimmer.

HELICOPTER GOING IN FOR THE RESCUE!

I suppose I am failing utterly at convincing everyone how boring the Big Island is. I swear, it's not usually this exciting. (I mean, my next planned blog is going to be about Target opening...which - no joke - I am VERY excited about.)

We watched the whole rescue. It's very bizarre to see a helicopter in someone's backyard. I was complaining about how there were no ambulances, but Chris made the excellent point that the helicopter would get the person to the hospital faster than any ambulance. As Chris made his point, the helicopter came zooming right by our house! The next day, this was the article in the Hilo Tribune Herald:

Man rescued after falling

Monday, July 11 1:02 am

A 22-year-old man who had fallen off a cliff into the ocean in Hawaiian Paradise Park was rescued Sunday afternoon by the Fire Department.

Seven units responded to a 911 call by bystanders, including a county helicopter, and found the man floating face down, about 100 meters offshore below Paradise Drive.

Paramedics treated the man on-scene and then took him to Hilo Medical Center.

(http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/sections/news/local-news/man-rescued-after-falling.html)