The National Park Service is warning people to be more careful when visiting the erupting Kilauea volcano after a recent near-miss involving a family visiting the park.
According to news release According to the NPS, the horrifying scene occurred on Christmas night in a restricted area where visitors climbed over a safety fence to keep them out of harm's way.
The infant wandered away from his family while they were at Kilauea Lookout, which offers the most dramatic views of Kaluapere and Halemaumau Crater, NPS said.
The child ran straight toward the edge of a 400-foot cliff. The mother was able to get the infant to safety before he fell over the edge.
“The dangers that coincide with an eruption are dangerous, and we have safety measures in place, including exclusion zones, fencing, road closure signs, and traffic management,” said park manager Rhonda Roe. “Your safety is our number one concern, but we are relying on everyone to rebuild responsibility. National parks showcase the wonders of nature, but they are not playgrounds. ”
NPS says parks on Hawaii Island see a spike in visitors during the eruption.
In addition to the dangers of cliff edges and dangerous terrain, the increased number of visitors to the area can increase the danger.
The eruption began on December 23, according to the USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory.
