Officials at a Hawaii national park have issued a warning to tourists following a close call involving a toddler who almost fell off the rim of the erupting Kilauea volcano.
The young boy wandered away from his family and, in a split second, ran straight toward the 400-foot cliff edge. Thankfully, his mother screamed and managed to grab him just a foot from the edge, according to the park’s statement.
Park ranger Jessica Ferracane, who witnessed the incident, expressed hope that sharing details would help “prevent future tragedies.” Kilauea, located on Hawaii’s Big Island, is known as one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Its latest eruption began on December 23, with lava flowing to the surface.
The incident occurred on Christmas Day in a closed area of the park where visitors had gathered to watch the lava. The scene was situated above the caldera, and Ferracane noted that the boy would not have survived a fall from such a height.
Park rangers are reminding visitors to remain on designated trails, stay out of closed areas, and keep a close eye on their children. “Those who ignore the warnings and bypass closure signs or lose track of loved ones do so at great risk,” she stated.
Ferracane added, “Hopefully sharing the news will prevent future tragedies and near-misses.”
Credit: BBC News
