Hiker impaled on 15-foot branch rescued from trail on O’ahu

TO A routine morning hike along the Lulumahu Falls Trail in Nuuanu, O’ahu, ended with a dramatic rescue last Wednesday after a 25-year-old man was impaled by a large tree branch.

The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call around 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 12 for an injured hiker on the popular trail. Multiple units responded and found the victim suffering from a serious stab wound to the abdomen.

Strong winds force difficult ground evacuation

The rescue became complex due to the severity of the injury and the adverse weather.

According to information shared with Backpacker By Captain Jaimie Song, HFD Public Information Officer, 34 HFD personnel were dispatched to the scene. Due to high winds and low visibility, an air rescue was deemed impossible, requiring a difficult ground evacuation. Once the team located the hiker, they found him impaled on a 4-inch-wide, 15-foot-long branch.

Firefighters performed an initial medical assessment and administered basic life support. To free the victim, they were forced to use a chainsaw to cut the branch before securing the man on a rescue stretcher. Crews then carried the injured man off the road.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services took over care at the scene and administered advanced life support. The 25-year-old hiker was taken to the emergency room of a local hospital in serious condition.

HFD urges caution on trails

Like many trails in the area, the Lulumahu Falls Trail is known for its muddy conditions and requires hikers to navigate difficult terrain, including stream crossings and areas that can become slippery and dangerous, especially after heavy rain.

Captain Song urged hikers to check the forecast before setting out on a hike to cancel plans if the weather is bad. The same weather conditions that can cause these accidents simultaneously place search and rescue and EMS teams in dangerous situations.

Authorities have not released any further official updates on the hiker’s identity or his current medical condition.

Featured image via Wikimedia Commons

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