Man Falls 70 Feet Into Kilauea Volcano's Caldera, Survives But Critically Injured

A man was critically injured late Wednesday after falling 70-foot into the caldera of the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, officials said Thursday. The 32-year-old, who was not named, climbed over a safety railing at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park before the tragic fall.

The man allegedly got extremely close to the edge of the cliff before losing his footing and tumbling into the volcano's caldera, according to a statement from the park. Rescue crews found the severely injured man Wednesday night and airlifted him out of the caldera using ropes. A Department of Defense helicopter was also used to rescue him. The man was rushed to Hilo Medical Center for treatment. On Thursday, his health condition was upgraded to stable.

“He obviously is doing remarkably well for his fall. Only time will tell what injuries he has,” Matthias Kusch, Hawaii County Fire Department battalion chief, said.

Ben Hayes, acting park spokesman and chief of interpretation, said they were notified about the incident by another visitor who saw the man fall from the 300-foot cliff.

“Visitors should never cross safety barriers, especially around dangerous and destabilized cliff edges. Crossing safety barriers and entering closed areas can result in serious injuries and death,” Chief Ranger John Broward said in a statement to Hawaii News Now.

Ben Hayes, a spokesperson with the National Park Service, was asked by reporters if the visitor could face any charges or consequences for crossing the barrier, to which he said, "rangers will complete an investigation and make that determination after the investigation is over."

The last fatal fall in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park occurred on Oct. 29, 2017, officials said.

On April 23, a 70-year-old woman died after falling about 200 feet over the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. On April 3, a 67-year-old California man fatally fell 400 feet from the edge of the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village, near the Yavapai Geology Museum.

Kilauea, which is one of five volcanoes on the Big Island and one of the most active volcanoes in the world, erupted several times last year prompting widespread evacuations in the surrounding areas.