US Geological SurveyA national park in Hawaii issued a new warning to tourists after a young child was rescued “at the last minute” from a fall from the edge of an erupting volcano.
The little boy turned away from his family and “in a split second, ran straight toward the edge of a 400-foot cliff” of Kilauea Volcano, the park said.
The park added in its statement: “His mother, screaming, was able to catch him,” while the child was “just a foot or so away from the fatal fall.”
Park ranger Jessica Ferracani, who witnessed the incident, told the BBC she hoped sharing details of the incident would help “prevent future tragedies”.
Kilauea, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
It erupts routinely, and its last eruption began on December 23 In the photo lava is flowing to the surface.
The US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption was continuing at a low level within a closed area of the national park. In its last update on Saturday.
The park said the accident occurred on Christmas Day in a closed area of the park where families gathered to watch the lava.
Ms Viracani said he was in an area overlooking the caldera – the volcano's large crater – and the boy would not have survived the fall.
Park rangers said they want to remind visitors to stay on the trail, out of closed areas, and to keep their children close.
“Those who ignore warnings, walk past closure signs, lose track of loved ones, and sneak into closed areas to get a closer look are at great risk.”
“We hope that sharing the news will prevent future tragedies and near misses,” Ms. Viracani added.
