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Just in from Hawaii Tribune-Herald:
"A hiker died today while viewing lava in lower Puna.
“There has been a death; we can confirm that,” said Jessica Ferracane, spokeswoman for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Both county helicopters were reportedly called to the scene.
Few other details were immediately available. Ferracane said the park and the county is working to figure out whether the death occurred inside the park or not and whose jurisdiction the investigation will fall to.
This story will be updated as more details become available. "
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Updated reports say it was a tour guide who collapsed in a remote area while leading a group. Possible cause of death is heart attack or inhaling fumes
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Updated reports say it was a tour guide
Frightening circumstances for everyone involved. The tour guide, knowing he's so far from medical assistance, and the hikers, most of them presumably visitors, who were for the moment lost in the middle of nowhere.
Recycle Puna. Humans, although probably not you personally, have already left 400,000 pounds of trash on the moon. - YouTube's Half As Interesting
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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From an article in the Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health on HVNP hazards:
"These gases can produce acute effects on visitors with chronic respiratory and cardiac disease."
Could the guide have had an undiagnosed heart issue? Either fumes or overexertion could have brought something on, but it's very sad and scary, regardless of the cause.
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The update mentioned that two other people were checked out. Sounds like fumes.
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Well, I guess the consolation is he died doing what he loved.
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Here's more info:
http://khon2.com/2018/02/01/tour-guide-d...lava-flow/
ericlp thanks for sharing Sean King's gorgeous photos. RIP Mr King
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Sean was a real sweet man. Puna has lost another good one
Now he's looking down from the stars, not up at them
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https://www.hawaii247.com/2018/02/01/nox...ee-escape/
Four hikers, a hiking guide leading three others, were hiking near the lava flow when it started raining which created a noxious steam cloud surrounding the group affecting their breathing and vision. The group [Fire/rescue] was called for help.
The tour guide was overcome by the noxious steam cloud while the three visitors escaped to safe location.
