It's a literal nightmare—falling over the guardrails in any location and dropping down.
A man in Hawaii lived all of our worst fears this past Wednesday—and lived to tell the tale.
A 32-year-old US soldier climbed over a guardrail and fell 70 feet onto a ledge, just barely avoiding the crater of Mt. Kilauea.
Yes, THIS Mt. Kilauea:
The 2018 eruption of Kīlauea was the largest in the U.S. since Mt. St. Helens in 1980. It might have changed the pl… https://t.co/Ngmzsn6kV5— Erik Klemetti (@Erik Klemetti) 1544660808.0
Time-lapse video captures the ash plume from Hawaii's volcano exploding higher than Mt. Everest Discover Magazine… https://t.co/mJbj26Vp3Q— Harpindon Groomsmill (@Harpindon Groomsmill) 1549015713.0
Team- Today was amazing 🙌🏽🌟💕visited Mt.Kilauea🌋 No lava but steam/sulphur vents remind visitors of the power & bea… https://t.co/3SJJBxfCbr— Kelly Williamson (@Kelly Williamson) 1546242821.0
The 2018 eruption of Kīlauea was the largest in the U.S. since Mt. St. Helens in 1980. It might have changed the pl… https://t.co/tLZD1G8uqi— Caribbean disaster (@Caribbean disaster) 1544664479.0
Apparently the man was part of a group who were touring the Steaming Bluff overlook at about 6:30 pm.
At 9pm, "the man was found alive but seriously injured on a narrow ledge about 70 feet down from the cliff edge," said officials in a statement.
The 32-year-old Schofield Barracks soldier climbed over a permanent metal railing at the Steaming Bluff overlook to… https://t.co/tuoVzrxKqY— Stars and Stripes (@Stars and Stripes) 1556928705.0
@starsandstripes When will folks learn fences are there for a reason, this is sad prayers for his family and freinds— Will B (@Will B) 1556931861.0
@starsandstripes And then rescuers risk life and limb to retrieve the fool. Who pays the bill?— 🇺🇸Kathleen Lyons🦁🇺🇸 (@🇺🇸Kathleen Lyons🦁🇺🇸) 1556932704.0
@starsandstripes Natural selection.— JJseabee182 (@JJseabee182) 1556939530.0
....Steaming Bluff overlook and got extremely close to the edge before losing his footing and tumbling into the vo… https://t.co/7ptKi6j0pJ— Jhawn Paul (@Jhawn Paul) 1556834786.0
"Rescue personnel successfully completed a high angle extrication using ropes and stokes litter and, with support from a Department of Defense helicopter, the man was airlifted to Hilo Medical Center for urgent care."
He is currently in stable condition.
@ABC7 All i need to know to pass judgement... "Climbed over the permanent protective railing to get a better look."— Vicki Laun (@Vicki Laun) 1556830732.0
@ABC7 https://t.co/PujOZ0gQJG— Jon 🏒🚵🏈🍺🏀 (@Jon 🏒🚵🏈🍺🏀) 1556829998.0
@ABC7 https://t.co/ywMOzdA9Mj— Mark (@Mark) 1556829991.0
@ABC7 https://t.co/Co9B2NOfOF— The Referee (@The Referee) 1556831272.0
@ABC7 Only can Hope He will make a full recovery Blessings Always— Lydell Tippins (@Lydell Tippins) 1556833274.0
This man is very lucky to be alive and to not have fallen into the crater.
The 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed more than 600 homes and was the most destructive eruption since Mt. Saint Helen in Washington State erupted.
@ABC7 Ouch— Kim. Belknap (@Kim. Belknap) 1556829702.0
@ABC7 Was he dying to get the perfect selfie— Miguel Hernandez (@Miguel Hernandez) 1556948141.0
@ABC7 ...DUH!— 🧸 (@🧸) 1556849920.0
@ABC7 This is what follows a stupid decision,..— 🌵🌞desert life☀️ (@🌵🌞desert life☀️) 1556836368.0
@ABC7 I swear people are so stupid and lack common sense— amyd5678 (@amyd5678) 1556833841.0
So indeed, perhaps climbing over the guardrails at an active volcano was not the smartest move.
Take heed on your next trip.