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Officials Say Surf Warnings Unheeded at Acadia

August 25, 2009 - BAR HARBOR -- Rangers at Acadia National Park said Monday that they did all they could to warn spectators before a hurricane-driven wave swept over a group near Thunder Hole on Sunday, dragging several people into the roiling ocean and killing a 7-year-old girl.

A dramatic rescue by the Coast Guard saved the lives of two people who were swept off the rocky shore. Four other people swam back to land, but the 7-year-old child from New York City did not make it. The body of Clio Dah-yun Axilrod was recovered by the Coast Guard later Sunday.

The girl's parents, Peter Axilrod and his wife, Sandra M. Kuhach, remained hospitalized Monday at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. The extent of their injuries was not known, said Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Marine Patrol, which assisted the Coast Guard.

Peter Axilrod and a 12-year-old girl, Simone Pelletier of Belfast, were rescued from the giant swells near Thunder Hole, a popular sightseeing spot on Park Loop Road. At least 11 people suffered broken bones.

"We train for this sort of situation, and by being able to save a few lives, it's a big deal," said Lt. Lisa Tinker, a Coast Guard spokeswoman. "It's a tragedy that we were unable to save the 7-year-old girl."

Tinker said the National Park Service did its best under the circumstances, as did the Coast Guard crew from Southwest Harbor that arrived at Thunder Hole about 45 minutes after the distress call was received. Chief Edward Iversen and his crew maneuvered a 47-foot lifeboat close enough to shore to rescue the two people.

Park Loop Road was closed after the incident. The viewing platform at Thunder Hole had already been closed by park rangers because of the dangerous surf.

Chief Ranger Stuart West told The Associated Press that rangers did everything they could to tell visitors not to get too close to the waves. He said 10,000 people had parked along Park Loop Road to see the surf that had been churned up by Hurricane Bill.

Seven rangers were sent to the area to warn spectators to keep away from the rocks, where 12- to 15-foot waves were breaking, West said. "They were doing it all day long," he said, "but some folks weren't grasping how fierce the ocean can be."

Three signs warning of "dangerous waves and rip currents" had been posted at parking areas, which were closed once they had filled.

James Kaiser, a local photographer, agreed that people did not heed warnings.

"I was standing next to a ranger who kept telling people to back away from the rocks," he said. "It was a pretty tough order because people were drawn to the rocks, where there were better views."

"People come to the park to see the crashing surf; that's what Acadia is all about," West said. "We were all set for fierce weather. We were as prepared as we possibly could be for this."

A press release issued Monday by the National Park Service said the rogue wave hit the shore around 11:49 a.m. Sunday. In the statement, West said a total of 16 people were taken by ambulance or took themselves to Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor for treatment of injuries. Not all of the victims were standing near Thunder Hole, according to the statement.

Attempts to interview Simone Pelletier, the 12-year-old girl, were unsuccessful. Jeff Nichols, a spokesman for Mount Desert Island Hospital, said the girl and her family did not want to speak with the media.

Nichols said Pelletier was in good condition.

Sgt. Jay Carroll of the Maine Marine Patrol was on the shore near Thunder Hole after the call for help came in.

"It was very chaotic," he said. "In just a half-mile stretch (along Park Loop Road), there must have been thousands of people."

In Old Orchard Beach on Monday, Fire Chief John Glass said the swimming area under and next to the pier had to be closed in the afternoon after lifeguards rescued five swimmers from a strong rip tide. On Sunday, lifeguards rescued 22 swimmers from the surf.

Town officials said some swimmers and surfers protested after the town closed the beach to swimming Sunday.

Bob Bohlmann, York County's emergency management director, said the high surf caused minimal damage.

"The big thing yesterday was the public and trying to keep them safe," he said.

The concrete observation deck at Casino Square, overlooking Wells Beach, suffered erosion and foundation damage that was barely noticeable.

Waves at Wells Beach on Monday were larger than normal.

Tom Howard, a surfer from Saco, said the rip tide currents were strong but nothing he couldn't handle.

As for the surfing conditions, he said, "It's amazing out there."

From staff and news services August 25, 2009.
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey contributed to this report.


Lakes:
Regions: Mid Coast, Downeast


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