By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Fire/rescue crews responded to a 12:42 p.m. alarm Wednesday (Sept 14) for two Opihi pickers in the ocean off Paukaa Drive in North Hilo after a witness called 911 for help.

Rescue personnel found an opihi picker treading water 50 yards offshore who directed crews to where the second opihi picker was last seen. The first picker was airlifted from the ocean with Chopper One as a fire department rescue specialist searched for the second picker.

The rescue specialist found the body of the second picker who was then airlifted to shore where CPR was performed and the victim was transported to Hilo Medical Center. The second picker was a fatality.

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