Hawaiian Vacation Takes Dangerous Turn for Seattle Firefighter

Seattle (WA) Joaquin Hubbard was one of the nearly 50 hikers who were stranded on the far side of Hanakapiai Stream (http://bit.ly/ZBCSKp) during a vacation in Hawaii, reports KOMO.news.com.

As Hubbard, his girlfriend and his daughter made their way to a waterfall with another group of hikers, the rain became even heavier. They met up with another group of hikers stranded across a raging river.

To most, it may seem an impossible task to have the lives of 20 people in your hands, but firefighters aren’t like most people.

“One of them was pregnant, that was also a concern,” Hubbard said. “I started kicking into emergency mode, you know, thinking something needed to be done or people could get really cold overnight and into trouble.”

Leaving everyone behind, Hubbard used a tree limb to cross the river and get help. When rescue crews arrived, they realized there were more to be saved — now more than 50.

Finally, helicopters arrived and buckets were lowered. But time was a concern.

“There were so many people and it was getting late they were running out of time and fuel,” Hubbard said.

One person died in the rescue, but everyone else made it to safety. In true firefighter fashion, Hubbard said the attention should be focused on someone else.

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