Published 20:55 IST, May 3rd 2019
INCREDIBLE: Man falls 70 feet into a volcano while trying to get a better look, survives
In one of the miraculous incidents of recent times, a man survived a 70 feet fall inside a volcano in Hawaii. The incident took place on Wednesday, May 1, when a visitor at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park crossed the security boundaries in order to get a better view, lost his footing and fell from a 300-foot cliff.
In one of the miraculous incidents of recent times, a man survived a 70 feet fall inside a volcano in Hawaii. The incident took place on Wednesday, May 1, when a visitor at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park crossed the security boundaries in order to get a better view, lost his footing and fell from a 300-foot cliff in Kīlauea caldera.
The National Park Service in a recent release revealed that visitors reported that a man lost his footing as he climbed over a permanent metal railing at the Steaming Bluff overlook to get closer to the cliff edge. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park rangers and rescue personnel from Hawai‘i County Fire Department started the search and rescue operations immediately and surprisingly when they found the man, he was alive although seriously injured. He had, fortunately, landed on a narrow ledge about 70 feet down from the cliff edge which saved his life.
Rescue personnel successfully completed a high angle extrication using ropes and stokes litter and, with support from a Department of Defense helicopter, the man was airlifted to Hilo Medical Center for urgent care.
For the unaware, Kilauea which is not currently erupting is among the world's most active volcanoes.
The chief ranger has issued a serious warning for the visitors asking them not to cross the safety barriers. Previously, a similar incident happened in the area on October 29, 2017, which claimed the life of the individual.
Updated 22:29 IST, May 3rd 2019