KAILUA-KONA — A celebrity couple visiting the Big Island was among a group of Good Samaritans who provided life-saving measures for a man who ultimately died after a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning.
According to tweets by actress Rose McGowan and supermodel Rain Dove, they were on scene when a 53-year-old man crashed his vehicle on Queen Kaahumanu Highway at mile marker 85 in North Kona, just north of the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
The Hawaii Police Department got the call about the crash close to 7:15 a.m. According to a press release issued Monday, Michael Shine of Waikoloa was traveling north in a silver 2013 Dodge Caravan when he veered left and crossing over the southbound lane. Shine’s vehicle collided with a guardrail on the southbound shoulder of the roadway.
Scott Wallig of Oregon City, Ore., was one of the first people to come upon the crash with his girlfriend, Tammy Chapman. They stopped to render aid. Wallig’s nephew, Tommy Collins, was in the car ahead of Wallig and witnesses the crash. He also assisted in rendering aid.
On Monday afternoon, Wallig said when they went to the van, Shine was slumped over in his seat and “kind of unresponsive.” They broke into the vehicle because all of the windows were up and the doors were locked.
“We leaned him back in the chair,” Wallig said. “Once we realized it was a medical thing, we pulled him out.”
Chapman is a registered nurse. Wallig said she started chest compressions. Five other people assisted at the scene. They all helped in rendering aid. Some took turns with mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions on Shine and elevating his legs until first responders arrived.
“We basically just worked on him for 30 minutes,” Wallig said. “A couple of us were just swapping out with chest compressions and holding his hand and telling him he was going to be OK.”
The Oregon City man said the situation was tough.
“I feel really bad for the gentleman’s wife and family,” he said. “We thought we had him resuscitable and then he slipped away.”
As news of the crash got out, it was learned a couple of the Good Samaritans working alongside Wallig and Chapman were McGowan and Dove.
“We didn’t realize they were famous,” Wallig said. “None of us were focused on that.”
Wallig added he wished Shine would’ve survived.
“I’d really like to pass my condolences on to the family,” he said. “Everyone there was hoping for a different outcome.”
Shine was eventually transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea, where he was pronounced dead at 8:38 a.m.
Police think speed and alcohol were not a factor. An autopsy was ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Dove and McGowan took to Twitter after the incident as news reports of their involvement circulated.
Dove tweeted: “I’m honored for the coverage but not everyone who has given CPR gets the recognition for their efforts. In fact most don’t. But everyday ppl are saving lives trained or not. Please consider getting your first aid training. I love You all.”
On the morning the crash happened, McGowan tweeted: “My partner @raindovemodel provided CPR to someone this morning on the highway. It was an honor to assist in the saving of someone’s life. I’m going to get my firstaid training this week! Please get yours too if you can. You can save lives.”
When police provided an update that the crash resulted in the 53-year-old man’s death, Dove expressed the importance of becoming first aid certified.
“Unfortunately the individual from the accident passed away at the hospital. It’s devastating news. Please consider getting ur First Aid certification. The ability to be able to even try is a great honor. Sometimes you’ll even save a life. But at least U know U tried,” the model tweeted.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking anyone who might have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Justin Hooser at 326-4646, ext. 229. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the 26th official traffic fatality this year on Big Island public roads compared with 26 at this time last year.
Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.