HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR110419InjuredhikerrescuedfromcliffnearPolihaleTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: November 4, 2019
KAUA`I FIRE DEPARTMENT
KILIPAKI VAUGHAN, DEPUTY CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Injured hiker rescued from cliff near Polihale
POLIHALE — Firefighters rescued a hiker in distress Sunday afternoon from a cliffside
near Polihale State Park.
Waimea firefighters were notified of the incident shortly after 3 p.m., when a 35-year-old
man reportedly fell about 12 feet off the top of a cliff, then fell another 20 feet below.
Firefighters arrived at Polihale State Park at the base of the mountain where a bystander
pointed towards the location of the injured man.
Rescue 3 personnel aboard Air 1 also responded to the scene, but the patient could not
be airlifted out due to the unsafe location and conditions of the terrain. Rescue 3 stayed on
scene to assist responding personnel.
Firefighters used rope rescue equipment to climb up the mountain where they located
the man with serious injuries to his leg, chest, and back. Firefighters secured the man to a
backboard and stokes litter, then safely lowered him down a 30-foot high angle cliff, then
lowered him another 50 feet to the ground.
The man was carried to Air 1 at a nearby landing zone where he was airlifted to awaiting
AMR medics near the park's entrance.
Medics provided additional support, and transported the man to Wilcox Hospital for
further treatment.
Kauai firefighters rescued an injured hiker Sunday afternoon from a cliffside near Polihale State
Park. Rescuers used rope rescue equipment to locate and safely transport the hiker down
approximately 80 feet from the cliff to the ground.