Kaua‘i man rescued from Kalalau Trail after apparent spider bite

A man from Kaua‘i was rescued of the Kalalau Trail after an apparent spider bite rapidly escalated into an infection where he suffered from fever and weakness.

Kaua‘i Fire Department dispatch received a text-to-911 message from the hiker at 9:44 a.m. on Wednesday, indicating the infection from the apparent bite was worsening, “rendering him unable to safely self-evacuate.”

Personnel with the Līhu‘e Fire Station aboard Air 1 responded to the incident shortly after.

First responders arrived on scene at the Kalalau Beach landing zone and discovered the 57-year-old man, who was walking around but in visible distress. Rescuers medically assessed the hiker at the scene and loaded him into the helicopter, where he was taken to the Waimea softball field.

After landing at the Waimea softball field, the hiker was transferred to Waimea fire station personnel and American Medical Response, who then took him to a local hospital for further medical care.

The scene was cleared shortly after 10:55 a.m.