Visitor Falls 30 Feet from Waterfall, Airlifted from Commando Trail

Mountain rescue. Graphics by Wendy Osher.

A California visitor was transported to the hospital in stable condition after falling 30 feet from a waterfall while hiking on the Commando Trail in the Kailua area of East Maui over the weekend.

The incident was reported at 10:07 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016.

The victim’s friend told authorities that the 30-year-old man from San Diego had fallen from the top of a waterfall at the third pond above the Hāna Highway.

Authorities say the man was hiking with a group of seven other people when the accident occurred, and was walking along the top of the waterfall when he lost his footing and fell over the side.

Fire officials say the visitor sustained serious injuries after bouncing off of a rocky outcropping 20 feet down and then falling another 10 feet into the pond below.

A Kahului rescue crew aboard the fire department’s Air 1 helicopter reached the visitor first, and stabilized his injuries before airlifting him to paramedics at a landing zone next to the Hāna Highway.

Paramedics transported the man to the Maui Memorial Medical Center in stable condition. A medevac helicopter also was called in, but was not able to land because of rain and marginal weather conditions.

Pāʻia firefighters were also dispatched to the scene.