“It was so much harder than I thought it was going to be to help him,” Ian Kowalczyk said of the attempted rescue
Credit: Hawaii News Now/YouTube
NEED TO KNOW
- A former firefighter said he nearly died while trying to save a 26-year-old man who was cliff diving in Hawaii
- The victim was eventually pulled from the water, but was later pronounced dead at a hospital
- “I’m sorry I couldn’t save him,” Ian Kowalczyk said of the attempted rescue
A former firefighter and U.S. Navy hospital corpsman is sharing his devastation after being unable to save a 26-year-old man who died after cliff jumping in Hawaii.
“I just wanted to let his family know I'm really sorry, I tried as hard as I could, and I'm sorry I couldn't save him,” Ian Kowalczyk told CBS affiliate KGMB of his attempt to rescue Mathen Jackson in Lekeleke Bay in Keauhou, located on the west coast of Hawaii's Big Island, on Saturday, April 11.
That Saturday afternoon, Jackson and a friend were sharing some food when the 26-year-old decided to jump off the cliff into the bay, which is also known as the End of the World, witnesses later told officials, according to Hawaiʻi Police Department. Caught up in the “strong current,” Jackson quickly became “distressed,” and his friend called 911, officials said.
Both the friend and a passerby later identified as Kowalczyk jumped into the water to help the victim, who was rescued and transported to an area hospital. Jackson was in critical condition and was pronounced dead that evening, police said.
Kowalczyk told KGMB that he saw Jackson struggling in the water approximately 50 yards off the cliff area. The former first responder and his father's friend instructed the man in distress on how to float on his back.
Jackson listened to the pair, but then he started taking in water. Realizing the other man was in danger, Kowalczyk jumped in, according to KGMB. “I started praying, and I was like, ‘Jesus, please, if you can help me, just please help me rescue this man,'” he told the outlet.
As the waves increased in strength, he thought that both of them might die. “It was so much harder than I thought it was going to be to help him,” he said.
Kowalczyk was able to tow Jackson to the edge of the rocks, but a wave dragged the victim back into the bay. “When the wave took him, I don't think I've ever felt so defeated in my life,” he recalled.
At that point, Jackson's friend jumped into the water to assist, but started to panic. Kowalczyk didn't have the strength to do anything more and realized he might die if he reentered the bay, KGMB reported. At the top of the cliff, he broke down in tears.
By that time, first responders arrived and were able to get Jackson onto a nearby tour boat and administer CPR. “They didn't waste any time,” Kowalczyk told the outlet about the efforts of the rescue team.
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An investigation is ongoing, and no foul play is suspected at this time. Anyone with any information about the fatal incident is asked to contact Kona Patrol Acting Sergeant Reuben Pukahi at (808) 326-4646, ext. 253.
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