The holiday season almost ended in tragedy for one family after a toddler nearly fell off a 400-foot cliff in Hawaii near the island’s erupting Kilauea volcano.
The National Park Service called the terrifying situation “a shocking scene unfolded in a closed area beyond the post-and-cable barrier at Kīlauea Overlook,” which is currently erupting.
According to park officials, the “toddler wandered off from his family and, in a split second, ran straight toward the 400-foot cliff edge.” The child’s mother quickly grabbed them while they were only “a foot or so away” from what could have been a fatal scene.
Officials are now urging visitors to be “especially” cautious of the area to avoid a similar or worse incident. “Stay on trail, stay out of closed areas and to keep their children close,” they warned while noting that failure to adhere to these guidelines poses “a great risk.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Superintendent of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Rhonda Loh said in the release that “the hazards that coincide with an eruption are dangerous, and we have safety measures in place including closed areas, barriers, closure signs, and traffic management.”
“Your safety is our utmost concern, but we rely on everyone to recreate responsibility. National parks showcase nature’s splendor, but they are not playgrounds,” she added.
The eruption of the Kilauea volcano recently entered its second pause after initially erupting on Monday, Dec. 23, the National Park Service said, citing the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
However, park officials noted that despite the current pause, “eruption could restart at any time, and toxic gas emissions are still high.”
Read the full article here
