Man Airlifted After 30-Foot Fall at Bamboo Forest

Bamboo Forest Rescue. Maui Now graphic.

A Haʻikū man was airlifted from the Kailua area of East Maui on Sunday afternoon in the area often referred to as the “Bamboo Forest Trail.”

Authorities responded to a report of  a man who fell about 30 feet form a waterfall and suffered from a possible broken leg.

The incident was reported at around 1:24 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2016 off of the Hāna Highway.

Firefighters arrived at the trailhead at 1:56 p.m. and spoke with bystanders who said the man was unable to walk.

A fire crew from Pāʻia hiked up to the victim while the fire department’s Air 1 helicopter was launched to assist with extricating the man.

Crews found a 41-year-old Haʻikū man at the base of the second waterfall, and confirmed that he could not walk out, according to Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto.  At 2:48 p.m. the man was airlifted to a nearby pasture where paramedics treated his injuries.

The man was eventually taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

According to department reports, the man was with a female companion and was preparing to jump off of the waterfall when he lost his footing and fell to the pond below, hitting a rock outcropping on the way down.