World of the Bizarre

Man survives plunge into Hawaiian volcano

By T.K. Randall
May 3, 2019

Image: Pahoehoe Lava
Credit: Rufiyaa / CC BY-SA 4.0 (adapted) The 32-year-old soldier, who had scaled the railings at Steaming Bluff overlook to get a better look at the volcano's caldera, lost his footing and plummeted over the edge of the 300ft drop.

His miraculous survival has been attributed to the fact that he happened to land on a tiny 2ft-wide ledge around 70ft down.A rescue team used ropes, a stretcher and a helicopter to winch the man to safety. He was described as "alive, but seriously injured" by officials however his condition is now believed to be stable.

"Visitors should never cross safety barriers, especially around dangerous and destabilized cliff edges," said chief ranger John Broward.

"Crossing safety barriers and entering closed areas can result in serious injuries and death."


Source: Live Science

Tags: Hawaii, Kilauea Volcano