According to authorities, the body of a deceased man in Hawaii aged 75 was found dead following an apparent fall 100 feet into the crater that houses the largest volcano on Big Island.
Unidentified Hilo residents vanished at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Sunday night. His family reported him missing Monday, according to the National Park Service.
Hawaii County firefighters and Rangers searched the darkness and discovered his body at 100 feet under the Kilauea volcano’s crater rim. This volcano is the largest of five that make up Hawaii’s Big Island.
Locals and tourists visit the park nightly to see a glowing lake of volcanic lava.
‘After searching for the man in the darkness, National Park Service rangers and Hawaiʻi County firefighters located the man’s body about 100 feet below the crater rim, west of the Uēkahuna viewing area at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. Park rangers assisted by helicopter recovered the body at 8 am,” the National Park Service stated in a statement.
After he fell into the crater at the Big Island’s most active volcano, he was believed to have died. (File photo) A helicopter flies above destruction in the aftermath of eruptions from the the Kilauea volcano in 2018
Hawaii County firefighters, Rangers and Hawaii County officials searched for him in darkness. His body was found 100 feet below Kilauea volcano’s viewing area. Kilauea is one of five active volcanoes making up Hawaii’s Big Island.
Now, the NPS is investigating. Officials stated that the victim would be identified once the family has been notified.
Visitors are welcome to the area, however officials urge hikers not to leave marked trails.
Chief Ranger John Broward stated that visitors should not cross safety barriers. This is especially true around unstable cliff edges. “Crossing safety bars and entering restricted areas could result in severe injuries or death,” Chief Ranger John Broward stated.
On December 21st, 2020, steam and gas erupts from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Halemaumau Crater. Kilauea is Hawaii’s most active volcano.
The volcano is currently ‘exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption,’ according to the United States Geological Survey service.
This isn’t the first incident that has occurred in the crater. A 32-year old man fell 70ft into Kilauea, after having stepped over the railing.
Newsweek reported that Rangers were able and Fire Department to save him in three hours. He was later taken to hospital with severe injuries.
A 38-year old man committed suicide at Kilauea volcano on January 17, 2017.
The body of the deceased was discovered on the caldera floor, 250 feet beneath Crater Rim Trail.