BREAKING: Visitor Fatally Injured in Fall From E. Maui Waterfall

By Wendy Osher

A visitor suffered fatal injuries in a fall off of a waterfall in East Maui on New Year’s Day, according to Maui police.

The incident was reported at around 1:13 p.m. on Sunday, January 1, 2011 in the area of the Bamboo Forrest Trail, between mile marker six and seven of the Hana Highway.

According to police reports, the female victim, identified as Susan E. Stephens, 46, of Missouri, suffered massive head injuries in a fall from a waterfall located about 2 miles from the highway.

Witnesses told police they observed the woman fall about 25 to 30 feet off the waterfall and land on rocks in the pond below.

Upon arrival on scene, crews from the Maui Fire Department’s Air-1 helicopter recovered the woman and transported her to a landing zone where police, fire rescue, and ambulance personnel were standing by.

Maui police say the woman died before being transported to the hospital.

The case has been classified as a miscellaneous accident.

Maui Police Lt. Wayne Ibarra said no foul play is suspected.