Barking Dog Helps Rescue Injured Owner Who Fell Down Steep Slope On Hawaii Trail

The Lanipo Trail (7.5 miles round-trip) is a popular hiking trail on Oahu, Hawaii, that goes along steep ridges and offers breathtaking views. It can be a challenging hike with the muddy and narrow paths.

On January 15, a woman and her dog set out on the trail but ran into trouble a few hours later. Hikers reported seeing a barking dog about two hours from the trailhead without a handler on a steep mountain slope. One called 911 for help.

The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) immediately responded with a rescue team in air and on foot. “Using the geolocation of the 911 caller, Air 1 was able to visually locate the dog and inserted a lone rescuer nearby. The rescuer rappelled about 20 feet down the slope to retrieve the dog at 3:55 p.m. While airlifting the dog and rescuer to the landing zone, the Air 1 pilot noticed an object about 70 feet below where the dog was found. After airlifting the dog to safety, the same rescuer was reinserted and rappelled down the steep mountain slope again and found the object in question to be a bag filled with personal items,” HFD shared in a press release.

After some investigation, the dog owner’s car was found at the trailhead and rescuers returned to the area where they found the dog to search for the missing person. The 35-year-old woman was found 100 feet below where her bag was located under thick foliage.

Rescuers loaded her on a stretcher and airlifted her to the Emergency Medical Services. No further update has been posted about the woman’s condition.

The woman was found and rescued thanks to her loyal dog and the heroes of HFD. Never hike alone by adopting a dog. You will save a life and they may just save yours in return.

Head to your local shelter to find your new best friend and adventure partner.