Vehicle Takes 60-Foot Plunge off Hāna Highway

Hāna Highway, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Three women were transported to the hospital, one in critical condition, after the vehicle they were in traveled off the side of the Hāna Highway and plunged 60-feet into a ravine in East Maui, officials said.

The incident was reported at 6:37 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at Mile Marker 21.5 of the highway on the Pāʻia side of Puaʻa Kaʻa State Wayside Park, authorities said.

According to reports from first responders, the women, all in their early 20s, were traveling back to Wailuku on the highway when the incident occurred.

When crews from the Hāna fire station arrived on scene, they met up with the three individuals, who had made their way up the ravine, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

According to FS Chief Mainaga, the women suffered some cuts and lacerations, with one woman sustaining a right ankle injury.  She was reportedly stabilized on a backboard as a precaution to prevent spinal injury.

All were transported by American Medical Response to the Maui Memorial Medical Center for further treatment of injuries, authorities said.