Posted on: Tuesday, March 9, 2004

Hiker injured in Saturday fall rescued yesterday

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

A man who was injured in a fall while hiking Saturday and spent two days waiting to be rescued was found yesterday by a couple who heard him calling for help.

The man, in his 40s, was hiking alone down from a ridge trail above Makiki Heights when he fell, Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said yesterday.

The hiker had not carried a cell phone and apparently had told no one where he was going.

Yesterday, a Pearl City couple was hiking nearby and heard him call out in a faint voice. They called 911.

Firefighters found the man about 120 feet below the ridge, complaining of rib, leg and back pain.

They used Air One, the HFD helicopter, to lift him out. He was in The Queen's Medical Center yesterday.

The man wore shorts and a T-shirt and had no food, water or other supplies along with him when he was found, Tejada said.

"We'd like people to make sure they have the proper supplies when they go hiking, including a cell phone — and a friend," Tejada said.

Those who must hike alone should make sure someone knows where they are going and when they plan to be back, he said.