Ronald D. Rowlett died helping attempt to save Vicky I. Manning from drowning, Kilauea, Hawaii, February 5, 2006. Manning, 57, was in wadable water of the Pacific Ocean atop a fringing coral reef that extended about 600 feet from shore. The swift current of a deep channel that was nearby carried her farther seaward, and, unable to swim against it back to shore, she called for help. Rowlett, 59, correctional facility officer, and his wife were nearby, also in wadable water atop the reef, and witnessed her struggle. Rowlett waded and swam toward Manning as his wife returned to shore to alert help. He reached a point close to Manning, who fought to remain afloat, but was then swept beyond her into the rough surf at the edge of the reef. From the beach, Manning’s husband also waded and swam toward her, but he too was swept by the current into the rough surf. Arriving rescue personnel used a personal watercraft to return Manning to shore, and she was taken to the hospital for observation. She was not injured. Rowlett and Manning’s husband were also returned to shore by means of the watercraft. Resuscitation was attempted, but both men had drowned.
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