A family faced a close call during the holiday season when a toddler came dangerously close to falling off a 400-foot cliff in Hawaii, close to the erupting Kilauea volcano.
The National Park Service described the alarming situation as “a shocking scene unfolded in a closed area beyond the post-and-cable barrier at Kīlauea Overlook,” which is currently experiencing an eruption.
Park officials reported that the young child strayed from his family and, in an instant, dashed directly toward the 400-foot cliff edge. The mother swiftly took hold of her child, just inches away from a potentially tragic situation.
Authorities are advising visitors to exercise heightened caution in the area to prevent a similar or more severe incident. “Remain on designated paths, avoid restricted zones, and keep children nearby,” they cautioned, emphasizing that not following these rules presents “a significant danger.”
Rhonda Loh, the Superintendent of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, stated in the release that “the hazards associated with an eruption are dangerous, and we have implemented safety measures such as closed areas, barriers, closure signs, and traffic management.”
“Your safety is our utmost concern, but we rely on everyone to recreate responsibility. National parks showcase nature’s splendor, but they are not playgrounds,” she added.
The Kilauea volcano has recently paused its eruption for the second time since it began on Monday, Dec. 23, according to the National Park Service and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Park officials have indicated that even with the current halt, “eruption could resume at any moment, and toxic gas emissions remain elevated.”