Honolulu firefighters rescue hikers atop Diamond Head, Moanalua Ridge in separate incidents
Honolulu firefighters rescued two distressed hikers on two Oahu trails this weekend, the Honolulu Fire Department reported.
On Saturday, HFD responded to a 911 call at 5:44 p.m. for a hiker in distress on the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail after a 20-year-old male reported he had been hiking for about seven hours before leg cramps made it impossible for him to continue.
A total of 12 firefighters responded starting at 5:58 p.m., establishing a command post as well as securing a landing zone at Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park. HFD’s Air 2 arrived on scene shortly thereafter and attempted to transport two rescue specialists to the man’s location, but deteriorating weather conditions forced them to be dropped off on the trail and hike until they were able to rendezvous with the 20-year-old using his cell phone’s GPS coordinates.
After determining the hiker was uninjured, HFD assisted him to a point where a utility task vehicle was able to gain access, load and transport the man off the trail.
Upon arrival at Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park at 9:03 p.m., the man refused further treatment and HFD concluded operations at the park.
THIS MORNING, a 38-year-old woman was airlifted off the Diamond Head Crater Trail.
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HFD got a call at 9:46 a.m. about a hiker who was experiencing shortness of breath, with five units and 13 personnel responding to Diamond Head State Monument. The first personnel arrived at 9:54 a.m. and attempted to locate the woman, who reportedly was near a bunker on the trail, by hiking up the mountain on foot while simultaneously establishing a landing zone inside Diamond Head Crater.
After making initial contact with the hiker at 10:13 a.m., firefighters provided basic life support treatment and secured the woman in a rescue stretcher before HFD’s Air 1 helicopter transported the woman from the trail to the crater floor. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services took over patient care at approximately 10:30 a.m.
The cause of the woman’s condition is unknown.
HFD said six adults and a child who were in the same hiking party as the 38-year-old were able to exit the trail under their own power and were uninjured.
