Visitor at Hawaiʻi Volcanoe National Park rescued after falling off steep cliff

First responders rescued a male visitor Wednesday night after he fell 30 feet off a steep cliff after venturing off Byron Ledge Trail at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to get a closer look at erupting Kīlauea, according to park officials.

The 30-year-old man from Boston suffered minor facial injuries.

He told search and rescue rangers that he wanted a closer look at the Kīlauea volcano eruption and got too close to the sheer cliff edge. He did not have a flashlight or headlamp.

Park dispatch was notified of the incident around 9 p.m.  

The park’s search and rescue team, who were managing eruption traffic, responded quickly and performed a high-angle recovery that involved rappelling down the steep, heavily vegetated cliff face to hoist the man to safety.

A tree had broken the man’s fall and prevented him from plunging another hundred feet or so to the caldera floor, which could have resulted in his death.  

Park rangers, trail signs, the brochure, website and social media consistently educate people about volcanic hazards:  

• Stay on marked trails and overlooks. Do not approach earth cracks or cliff edges, the edge is often unstable, undercut, or hidden by vegetation or loose rocks. 
• Do not climb over rock walls, railings or safety barriers. 
• Keep a close eye on everyone in your group, especially children. 
• Carry a flashlight or headlamp at night and always wear sturdy footwear with good traction when hiking. 

The park has experienced a surge in visitors since Kīlauea began its series of eruptions that began Dec. 23. The eruptions are in a closed area of the park due to its serious hazards, but is visible from many overlooks along the caldera rim.