MEDIA RELEASE

Fire/rescue crews responded to a 2:13 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5 alarm for a 43 year-old woman who had hiked to the lava flow ocean entry and was unable to find her way back. The hiker had left the authorized lava viewing area and was 200 yards from the ocean entry when she called for help from her cellphone.

Firefighters hiked three-quarters of a mile to the hiker and made contact via flashlight more than a mile away from her. Due to darkness and the harsh terrain the hiker was told to stay put and Chopper One was dispatched with with a rescueman to retrieve her. The uninjured hiker was flown to Highway 130, examined by medics and turned over to police.