Woman Caught in Propellers of Boat at Pailolo Challenge

File image. Maui Now graphic.

A woman in her sixties from Kurtistown, Hawaiʻi, was critically injured during the Pailolo Challenge outrigger canoe race from Maui to Molokaʻi on Saturday morning, after reportedly being caught in the propellers of an escort boat.

The incident was reported at 8:54 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.  Authorities say the woman was brought ashore at DT Fleming Beach in West Maui.

Ocean safety lifeguards on duty at the beach began immediate life-saving efforts until paramedics and fire personnel arrived at 9:01 a.m. Emergency responders performed CPR on the woman, who had suffered critical life-threatening injuries.

Paramedics eventually transported the woman to the Nāpili Park where a medevac helicopter picked up the patient and flew her to the Maui Memorial Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.