A 30-year-old Boston resident had a narrow escape after he slipped off a cliff while trying to get a closer view of the erupting Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii. The incident occurred on June 11 at the Byron Ledge Trail in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, marking the 25th eruption in the region since December.
The man, who was attempting to find a better vantage point to witness the eruption, fell approximately 30 feet off the cliff around 9 p.m. According to officials from the National Park Service, he was navigating the area without the aid of a flashlight or headlight.
Miraculously, the man’s fall was broken by a tree, preventing him from plunging an additional 100 feet. Officials stated that the additional fall could have resulted in fatal injuries. Search and rescue teams, already present in the area to manage traffic due to the eruption, located the man 30 feet below the cliff.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, the man sustained only minor facial injuries. As he awaited rescue, the Kīlauea Volcano continued its eruption, spewing lava as high as 330 feet into the air.
This incident is reminiscent of another that occurred last year when a tourist drove off a 60-foot cliff into the ocean while trying to find a good spot to watch a sunrise in Hawaii. Miraculously, that individual also survived the accident with minor facial injuries and hypothermia.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with getting too close to natural phenomena for the sake of a better view. Officials continue to urge visitors to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines when visiting such sites.