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Man Falls About 70 Feet Down Into Kīlauea Caldera At Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

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Published Date

May 2, 2019
Steaming Bluff Overlook, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park/NPS

A man who climbed over the railing at Steaming Bluff Overlook tumbled into the Kīlauea caldera at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park/NPS

A man who climbed over a railing to get a closer look into Kīlauea caldera at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park fell about 70 down from the rim and was seriously injured.

Park staff said that about 6:30 p.m. local time Wednesday the man was seen climbing over the metal railing at the Steaming Bluff overlook. He then lost his footing and fell from the cliff, staff said.

"At approximately 9 p.m., the man was found alive but seriously injured on a narrow ledge about 70 feet down from the cliff edge," a park release said. "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."

The overlook is reaching via a short walk on a trail leading from the Steam Vents parking area to Steaming Bluff, on the caldera's edge. The area is a grassy meadow with ground cracks and steaming concentrated in fractures along the caldera's edge.

The Steaming Bluff Overlook is not far from the park's visitor center/Google maps



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Comments

Submitted by Lindsy on May 4, 2019 - 1:32pm.

People do not think what harm can come to them for such a selfish act. I would send him a bill for the time,money and man hours it took to bring that man to safety.  Make him accountable for his act. People are not accountable anymore and we need to start or where will it end!


Submitted by Rick B. on May 4, 2019 - 3:12pm.

Well, he won't be welcomed back to his unit with open arms.


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