A Maui County firefighter died more than a week after he was swept down a drain during a storm that caused flooding on the Hawaiian island, authorities said in a statement. statement.
Tre’ Evans-Dumaran, 24, was helping island residents Jan. 27 when he was washed away. They eventually found it where the drain ended 800 yards away near the shoreline on Kulanihakoi Road, the statement said.
A flood warning was in effect for Maui at the time due to «hazardous weather» which included heavy rain and caused road closuresHawaii Gov. Josh Green’s office said in a Press release.
Evans-Dumaran was in critical condition at Maui Memorial Medical Center and was «slowly showing positive and promising signs of progress» until Saturday, when county officials confirmed his death.
“We want to thank the entire community for the outpouring of love during this time,” her mother, Chelsie Evans, said in a statement shared by the county. «My heart tells me that Tre’ wants to say thank you for loving his family, his fire ‘ohana, his friends during this time. He wants people to keep donating blood, to keep doing his part as a hero, the way he who lived every day on Earth».
in a statementMaui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura said Evans-Dumaran, who was with the department for three years, «was very happy to serve the people.»
«Tre’ loved being a firefighter and he loved the people he worked with. Serving the community came naturally to him because he was so happy to serve people,» Ventura said.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. said he was «heartbroken by the news.»
“Every day, our first responders put their lives on the line to help others, taking care of the community they serve,” he said. «This is a reminder of that risk and the courageous work they do for all of us.»