A New Jersey woman praised Maui fire rescue personnel who airlifted her family and other hikers to safety Tuesday in the swinging bridges area of Waihe'e.

"We feel like they saved our lives," said Lauren Federici. "They were amazing."

Federici, her husband and two children were rescued along with a Washington state family of four after flash-flood waters stranded them at the first bridge, about a half-mile into the valley, at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

She called for help on her cell phone, and fire personnel used a basket to hoist the eight hikers into the helicopter.