UPDATE: A 25-year-old man was seriously injured after being impaled by a tree branch while hiking the steep and muddy Lulumahu Falls Trail in Nuuanu, Honolulu, earlier today. Emergency responders executed a dramatic rescue operation to free him from the mountainside.
The incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. when a 911 call alerted authorities to the hiker’s plight. Firefighters swiftly mobilized multiple units to the scene, where they found the man impaled by a roughly six-inch branch. Using an electric chainsaw, they cut the branch free before carefully transporting him down the slippery slope in a rescue litter.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provided advanced life support at the scene and rushed the injured hiker to a nearby hospital, where he remains in serious condition. The harrowing rescue highlights the dangers associated with the popular, yet challenging, hiking trail, which has seen numerous rescues in recent years.
The Lulumahu Falls trail is located within the Honolulu Forest Reserve, an area known for its steep and often muddy conditions. Officials from the state’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife emphasize that hikers must secure reservations and permits before tackling trails in this watershed area.
Authorities are reiterating safety advice for hikers: always inform someone of your hiking plans, carry a charged mobile phone, and wear appropriate footwear for rugged terrain. The City’s Emergency Medical Services provides resources for safe hiking and emergency preparedness.
As of now, officials have not released the name of the injured hiker, and details about his condition remain limited. We will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as information becomes available.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent situation as it unfolds.
