Small child almost falls into volcano over holiday

It was supposed to be a joyous Christmas holiday for one family at a Hawaii national park, but it almost turned into a tragedy when their toddler nearly fell into a smoldering crater near the active volcano. The US National Park Service has issued an urgent warning to all tourists, urging them to be cautious and stay away from the dangerous areas.

According to the park service, the incident occurred when the young boy wandered off from his family and in a matter of seconds, ran straight towards the 400ft cliff edge. His mother, who was screaming in panic, managed to grab him just in the nick of time, preventing what could have been a fatal fall. It was a shocking scene that unfolded on Christmas Day in a closed area beyond the post and cable barrier at the famous volcano's overlook.

The eruption of the Kilauea volcano has attracted a lot of visitors, with more than 1.6 million people trekking to see its beauty last year. However, as beautiful as it may be, the eruptions also come with their own set of risks. The park has warned about the impact on air quality and visitor health and safety. In fact, just a few days before Christmas, a new eruption was recorded and although it has slowed down, it is still ongoing within a closed area in the national park.

A park ranger who witnessed the incident shared that the boy would not have survived the fall. Ranger Jessica Ferracane told the BBC that sharing details of the incident will help prevent future tragedies and near-misses. The park superintendent, Rhonda Loh, also reminded visitors that national parks are not playgrounds and the hazards that coincide with an eruption can be dangerous. They have implemented safety measures such as closed areas, barriers, and closure signs, and they rely on everyone to recreate responsibly.

This is not the first time a visitor has fallen into a volcano in front of their loved ones. Earlier this year, a woman tragically lost her life when she fell 250ft into the Ijen Crater in Indonesia while posing for a picture her husband was taking. It serves as a somber reminder that nature's splendor can also be perilous, and it is important to always follow the rules and regulations set by the park to ensure our safety. Let us all remember that national parks are not playgrounds, but rather a showcase of nature's beauty that we should admire with caution and responsibility.

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