Overview

• On June 11, a 30-year-old visitor slipped off a 30-foot drop near the Byron Ledge Trail while edging too close for a better view of the eruption.
• He was not carrying a flashlight or headlamp when he fell after dark, increasing the hazard of the nighttime incident.
• National Park Service search and rescue teams already in the area for eruption management conducted a high-angle hoist to bring him safely back to the trail.
• Officials said the man suffered only minor facial injuries thanks to a tree halting his descent and preventing a potentially fatal 100-foot drop.
• Kīlauea’s eruption has continued since December 2024 with lava jets reaching up to 330 feet, prompting officials to urge visitors to stay on marked trails and carry proper lighting during night visits.