The Kaua‘i Fire Department was kept busy on Sunday with a pair of high-stakes rescue operations involving injured individuals in the region's treacherous terrain, a challenge met with their usual professionalism and swift response. According to a report by the County of Kauai, the first emergency call came in just after 2 p.m. for an injured hiker on the Makaleha Falls Trail in Kapa‘a who was found unconscious at the base of the falls with severe injuries after being struck by a falling rock.
The rescue team, assisted by Air 1 from the Rescue 3 unit and firefighters from the Kaiākea Fire Station, quickly stabilized the injured hiker. Using a Stokes litter, they transported her to a water tank landing zone, where American Medical Response (AMR) took over and rushed her to Wilcox Medical Center. The unconscious hiker had labored breathing and a serious head wound. The entire rescue operation was completed in about an hour, around 3:30 p.m.
In a concurrent act of readiness, a second call for help was received at approximately 3:10 p.m., this time involving a Utah visitor on the Kalalau Trail who had sustained a leg injury near mile marker 1.5. The injured, unable to continue hiking due to the severity of the leg injury, prompted another quick deployment of Rescue 3's Air 1 helicopter.
Responders quickly located the injured hiker and transported her by helicopter to Princeville Airport. She was then transferred to Hanalei Fire Station personnel and AMR for further treatment. The scene was cleared by 4:40 p.m., with first responders demonstrating quick and skilled care under pressure.
