Weird But True

Tourists follow GPS directions straight into sea: ‘One expensive vacation’

You have not reached your destination.

A sailboat crew jumped into action to save two tourists out of their sinking van after they drove into Honokohau Harbor, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Video of the incident captured by local Christie Hutchinson shows the quick-thinking crew swimming up to the driver and passenger and helping them out of the silver Chrysler Town & Country through the front windows.

Meanwhile, another pair of men tied a rope to the back of the van, attempting to pull it back onto the boat ramp, but ultimately failed as it quickly became fully submerged.

“Pretty sure that wasn’t supposed to happen,” Hutchinson can be heard saying from behind the camera as she recorded for nearly four-and-a-half minutes.

Hutchinson later explained in a Storyful report that the crew of the Nanea sailboat had returned from a day of sailing when they witnessed the car drive head-on into the harbor beside them.

woman in drivers seat of van that is sinking in harbor
The tourists allegedly claimed to have followed GPS directions into the water. Christie Hutchinson via Storyful
driver of sinking van crawling out of front window
The driver and passenger were reportedly trying to find a nearby snorkel tour company. Christie Hutchinson via Storyful

“The passengers were tourists trying to find a Manta Ray Snorkel tour company in the harbor and had been following their GPS directions when they took a wrong turn into the water,” Hutchinson said.

Online, viewers of the farcical footage have pointed out that “The Office” characters Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) found themselves in a similar predicament in an episode of the NBC-aired sitcom.

“I just watched this episode of ‘The Office,'” one fan wrote.

“Michael Scott already did this episode,” another joked.

For many others, the incredible incident and subsequent report have left one pressing question unanswered: How does this happen?

“It’s as easy as looking out the windshield … What am I missing?” one asked. Mocked another, “So when you see water you still drive into it?”

“One expensive vacation,” quipped one savvy traveler. “Hope they got the extra coverage on their rental car.”