Waihe’e Valley Mountain Rescue

Waihe’e Valley, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A 55-year-old man was air-lifted from the Waihe’e Valley Ridge Trail after calling for assistance early this morning, Friday, November 23, 2012.

When the man called 911 at around 5 a.m., he told authorities he had run out of water and was suffering from dehydration, fire officials said.

The man related that he was hiking in the area over the last two days and could not complete his trek out of the area, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Maui Fire Department’s Air 1 helicopter and crews from Rescue 10 located and extracted the man from the ridge at around 6:40 a.m.

Officials say the man was not injured and refused any medical attention.  He was then released on his own accord.