A 78-year-old tourist from Alaska found himself in need of rescue this past Saturday after collapsing on Kauai's Nounou East Trail, popularly dubbed the Sleeping Giant Trail. According to a county press release, the incident unfolded shortly after noon when first responders were alerted to a distressed hiker.

The Kaua‘i Fire Department swiftly dispatched teams from the Kapa‘a Fire Station and Rescue 3 with Air 1 to the scene. Upon arriving near the mountain's apex, they found good Samaritans performing CPR on the visitor, who had ceased breathing along the trail. It was after they had administered life-saving CPR the hiker regained consciousness.

The rescue operation was meticulous and challenging, as teams had to stabilise the man on a stokes litter for air transportation. Air 1 ferried the injured man to Wailua Houselots Park's landing zone, where American Medical Response staff awaited. Once on solid ground, "AMR personnel continued advanced life support treatment on the hiker before transporting him to Wilcox Medical Center," as the press release details. Moments after 1:35 p.m. marked the clearing of the scene.