An 84-year-old hiker's leisurely expedition turned precarious yesterday when he sustained a head injury on the Manoa Falls Trail in Manoa, prompting a swift rescue operation by the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD). According to the Star-Advertiser, the HFD received an emergency call at 12:05 p.m.
The HFD responded with haste, arriving on the scene at 12:12 p.m. and promptly began an ascent by foot in search of the distressed hiker. A mere eighteen minutes later, at 12:30 p.m., rescuers located the elderly man who had been hiking for approximately one hour before the incident. "Rescuers located him at 12:30 p.m. and he was airlifted to a nearby landing zone where his care was transferred to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services at 12:48," reported the Star-Advertiser.
The rescue strategy involved not only locating but also administering vital medical treatment to the injured man. In alignment with KITV's coverage of the incident, HFD crews provided basic life support before the hiker was safely extracted by helicopter to the designated landing zone, concluding his ordeal at 12:48 p.m.
In the aftermath of the rescue, HFD extended a public reminder about hiking safety and preparedness. Emphasizing the importance of assessing one's own physical capabilities and choosing trails accordingly, the department advised, "Ensure you stay hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion, becoming disoriented, and muscle cramps," in a statement obtained by KITV.
