Hiker Injured in Fall at Iao, Discovered 3 Days Later

By Wendy Osher

A hiker, found 1 mile above Iao Valley park, was airlifted to safety after suffering injuries in a fall three days earlier. File photo by Wendy Osher.

A Kihei man was airlifted to safety three days after suffering injuries in a fall at Iao Valley.

The 39-year-old man was found about one mile above the park by a fellow hiker on Sunday morning (September 18, 2011).  It was the first person he came into contact with since being injured in a fall and losing consciousness during a hike on Thursday, authorities said.

Unable to walk, the man dragged himself down the river where he was eventually found, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Firefighter personnel were dispatched at 11:06 a.m. from Engine 1 in Wailuku and Rescue 10 in Kahului.  After making their way to the victim, the assistance of Air-1 was requested, and the victim was successfully extracted from the area at 12:53 p.m.

The man was taken to the parking lot where an ambulance was waiting to transport him to the hospital for treatment.