2ND TOURIST FOLLOWING GPS DRIVES CAR INTO HAWAI`I HARBOR
Hawai`i News Now - May 30, 2023
A tourist swam to safety on Monday after she mistakenly drove her vehicle into the water at the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor in Kailua-Kona.
The driver told police said she was following GPS directions when she took a turn down a boat ramp.
She apparently thought the water was a big puddle.
Hawaii Island police said the incident happened about 8 p.m. and the 2020 Ford Edge ended up in “deep water” by the time the driver was able to get out. Officials added the driver said “she was using a GPS that lead her to take that route.”
While her vehicle was slowly submerging into the water, a witness recalled being surprised by the woman’s slow reaction.
“She did take some time. She ended up grabbing her backpack or purse, all of her belongings that she could grab before she got out,” said the witness.
“And I’m kind of frustrated with it because I know that as soon as it starts to actually go underwater she’s in trouble.”
A good Samaritan was able to bring her to safety on a nearby boat after tossing her a floating device. No injuries were reported.
The vehicle was subsequently pulled out of the water.
The incident comes just a few weeks after another pair of tourists said they were following their vehicle’s navigation system when they drove right into the same harbor.
They also got out safely.
