Rescuers Airlift Missing Hiker to Safety After Dog's Bark Alerts Bystanders

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ICARO Media Group
News
18/01/2024 20h01

In a dramatic rescue operation on the Lanipo Trail in Kaimuki, Hawaii, a hiker who had gone missing was successfully found and brought to safety after her barking dog attracted the attention of bystanders. The incident occurred on Monday and involved the combined efforts of the Honolulu Fire Department, the Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

The Honolulu Fire Department received a distress call from a hiker who had noticed an unaccompanied dog barking near the edge of a steep slope on the Lanipo Trail. Responding swiftly to the call, seventeen fire department personnel, some on foot and others in an aircraft above the trail, were dispatched to the location.

The crew in the aircraft spotted the dog and prompted a rescuer to rappel down approximately 20 feet to retrieve it. Once the dog was safely transported to a landing zone, the pilot noticed an object about 70 feet below where the dog was found. The same rescuer then descended to retrieve the item and discovered a bag filled with personal belongings.

Meanwhile, responders on the ground examined the dog's collar and found the owner's name and contact information. Despite attempts to reach the owner, calls went unanswered. Concerned for their well-being, the Honolulu Police Department conducted a welfare check at their residence but found no one there. Furthermore, the owner's car was located at the trailhead, triggering an extensive search operation by air and ground.

After an intense search effort, the missing hiker, a 35-year-old woman, was discovered concealed beneath dense foliage around 100 feet below where the bag was found. Responders provided immediate basic life support treatment before carefully placing her into a rescue stretcher. Approximately three hours after the initial 911 call, the hiker was airlifted to safety.

The current condition of the rescued hiker is unknown at this time. CNN has reached out to the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services for more information regarding her well-being.

This rescue operation highlights the effectiveness of coordinated efforts by emergency response teams and the invaluable assistance of bystanders. The dedicated efforts of the rescuers ensured a positive outcome for the missing hiker and her faithful companion.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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