A woman was transported in critical condition to Hilo Medical Center Tuesday afternoon after she fell down an embankment and landed near the edge of Wailuku River.
When Hawaii County Fire Department rescue personnel arrived on the scene about 3:15 p.m. they found the unconscious woman lying on rocks approximately 40 feet down an embankment below Wainaku Street Bridge. Because of the steep terrain, as well as power lines and trees, the rescue personnel were unable to reach the woman on foot.
East Hawaii Battalion Chief Warren Sumida told West Hawaii Today on Tuesday evening that the rescuers had to rappel to provide care to the victim. They used the Waiakea Fire Station’s newest ladder truck, which was parked on the bridge, to create a pivot point that allowed them to rappel to the patient.
The patient was subsequently hoisted using a high-angle retrieval system, according to the department. She was then transported to Hilo Medical Center in critical condition, Sumida said.
No further information was available on the woman’s condition Tuesday evening.