Visitor Airlifted in Rescue at Waihee Ridge Trail

MauiNow.com file image.

By Wendy Osher

A 65-year-old male visitor from Missouri was airlifted to safety after he slipped and fell at the Waihee Ridge trail on Maui.

The incident was reported at 1:56 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, about a mile-and-a-half above the trail head.

Firefighters from Wailuku and a rescue crew from Kahului responded to the scene where the man had slipped on the muddy path, injured his knee, and was unable to walk out on his own, authorities said.

Air-1 with rescue personnel reached the injured man at 2:20 p.m., and airlifted him to a landing zone near Camp Maluhia.

Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said the man refused medical treatment and told authorities his friends would drive him to the emergency room once they returned to their car.