Near death: Man plucked from edge of waterfall

RENO, Nev. — Kalani Tuiono had been in and out of the Yuba River on Saturday when he decided to swim across. Tuiono, 25, considers himself a strong swimmer, taking swim lessons starting at 4, and growing up around lakes and rivers.

The Reno man was confident as he swam deeper in to what looked like calm waters.  

“I got caught in the undertow and was suddenly in rapids,” said Tuiono. “It felt like a roller coaster.”

He said he was tossed around and lost his sense of direction as the rapids pushed him under. He said his body and head banged against rocks as he struggled to catch his breath, unsure of which way was up.

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He said he was later told he had gone about a mile from where he tried to swim across when he felt his stomach brush against large rock.

“I held on,” he said. He vomited and pushed himself up on the rock.

He was just feet from a waterfall.

Another hiker spotted him from cliffs along the side of the Yuba River and called 911.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter and the Truckee Fire Protection District rescued Tuiono by lowering a basket  to him.

Paramedic and flight officer with the CHP Matt Calcutt said Tuiono is lucky to be alive. He said there have been more than two dozen drownings in the area in the last month.

"He had a near-death experience," Calcutt said. "We are glad to have a good outcome."

Calcutt's job was to lower the rescue basket with a paramedic to Tuiono while directing the pilot. He said conditions are tough because of the choppy water and the wind created by the helicopter in the canyon.

“I am so thankful,” Tuiono said, adding he is trying to use this experience to warn others to stay away from rivers. "I have never had a more humbling experience.”

He also said he plans to volunteer for Washoe County Search and Rescue.

Follow Siobhan McAndrew on Twitter: @Siobhanmcmndrew