Van driver, 19, survives plunge
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
A 19-year-old Kane'ohe man escaped injury yesterday after a van he was driving failed to make a turn, jumped a guardrail and plunged off a Likelike Highway cliff near the Wilson Tunnels.
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser
The man, identified as Arthur Mosher by his employer, climbed out of the van after it came to a stop about 150 yards below the Kane'ohe side of the Wilson Tunnels.
The A-1 Plumbing van came to a stop 150 yards after jumping a guardrail and falling off a cliff near the Wilson Tunnels.
"I think it's truly remarkable that he was able to walk away from the van that went over the cliff," said Capt. Richard Soo said, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman.
Three fire companies and the Air One helicopter responded to the 1:45 p.m. alarm. When firefighters arrived, they saw Mosher scaling the cliff, Soo said.
With a scrape on his forehead, Mosher was taken to Castle Medical Center as a precaution, according to his boss, Daniel Dias of A-1 Plumbing.
Mosher was wearing his seat belt and a witness reported that he didn't appear to be speeding, Dias said. The speed limit is 45 mph.
According to Dias, there was a light rain at the time and Mosher might have hit a slippery spot on Likelike Highway.
Dias said he had purchased the 1997 Dodge van two weeks ago and Mosher was hired Friday as an assistant. Mosher was on an errand at the time, Dias said.
