A hiking trip on the Kukui Trail took an unexpected turn Tuesday when a 50-year-old visitor from North Carolina sustained an ankle injury in Kōke‘e State Park. The incident occurred about one mile into the trail, prompting a response from the Kaua‘i Fire Department to assist the injured hiker, as per a report from the official county press release.
The call for assistance came in shortly before 10:30 a.m. Firefighters from the Waimea and Līhu‘e stations responded, supported by the Air 1 helicopter team. The coordinated response enabled crews to reach the injured hiker promptly. "First responders arrived on the scene and discovered the injured hiker approximately one mile into the Kukui Trail with an apparent ankle injury," stated the press release, in recounting the day's events.
Rescue personnel quickly initiated assistance upon reaching the scene. After providing initial first aid to stabilize the hiker’s condition, crews conducted an aerial short-haul operation using an ARV device to transport the individual safely to the trail's designated landing zone.
Upon landing, the injured hiker was transferred to American Medical Response for further evaluation and medical care. The operation concluded by 12:40 p.m., with the trail cleared and the individual en route for additional treatment.
