Soldier visiting the Hawaii National Park falls into the active volcano



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By Ben Kesslen

A 32-year-old soldier climbed the permanent railing of an active volcano in Hawaii to take a closer look, fell in and survived, authorities said.

The man, based in the great island of Pohakuloa, was visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday when he fell from a 300-foot cliff at the edge of the Kilauea Caldera after losing his footing, the National Park Services in a statement.

Fortunately, about two and a half hours after his fall, he was found on a narrow ledge about 70 feet from the edge of the cliff. Respondents were able to save the tourist through "high angle extraction" using ropes. He survived, but authorities said he was seriously injured and airlifted to Hilo Medical Center.

"Visitors should never cross the safety gates, especially near the dangerous and destabilized edges of the cliffs," said chief of foresters John Broward in a statement. "Breaking through the barriers and entering closed areas can result in serious injury or death."

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Although the Kilauea Caldera is not erupting, according to the US Geological Survey, it is an active volcano that has destroyed more than 700 houses on the Big Island in Hawaii in 2018.

Volcanoes National Park has not had a death since 2017, but it was closed for more than four months last year, after volcanic activity caused explosive eruptions, earthquakes and collapse. famous crater Halemaumau.

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