Visiting Medics Rescue Toddler in Kāʻanapali Near Drowning

By Wendy Osher

Courtesy Photo: Honua Kai Resort & Spa Hokulani Tower.

A visiting nurse and paramedic came to the aid of a toddler found floating in a hotel pool in West Maui on Saturday afternoon, officials said.

The incident was reported at 12:37 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, at the Honua Kai Resort in Kāʻanapali.

Thomas Gallegos, a registered nurse, and his brother in law, Mike Westbrook, a firefighter paramedic, both from Ventura, California, responded when another bystander saw the child floating and called for help, authorities said.

According to fire department reports, the two men got the child, provided rescue breaths, and carried the toddler onto the pool deck where she was given oxygen, utilizing hotel equipment.

“As first responders / rescuers, Mr. Gallegos and Mr. Westbrook, set in motion the precise actions and treatment the patient required at that moment to survive this incident,” said Maui Fire Captain Kevin McAfee in a statement.

When crews from Ladder-3 arrived on scene, they took over patient care, and the child was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center via American Medical Response in stable condition, fire officials said.