An 11-year-old Canada boy who took a wrong turn in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was located by park rangers and reunited with his family Tuesday night, March 17.
The boy went missing after attempting a shortcut from the crater floor of Kīlauea Iki Trail to the Thurston Lava Tube parking lot. His father went looking for him after he turned up absent from the rest of the family at the lot. Though he was able to make vocal contact with his son, he couldn’t locate him. A fellow visitor called park dispatch to report the missing child.
Five rangers responded just after sunset and located the boy about an hour later. He had only minor cuts and scrapes, and was taken out of the trail and reunited with his family.
“Park rangers have rescued several hikers who tried to shortcut Kīlauea Iki Trail,” said Acting Chief Ranger John Broward. “They end up getting stuck due to earth cracks, cliffs, and thick vegetation. This incident fortunately had a happy ending but it serves as a good reminder to stay on trails. Hikers can be seriously injured or killed, and it puts rescuers at risk as well,” he said.
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