Girl is critically hurt in plunge from 30 feet

She climbed a chair and tumbled over a railing, neighbors say

Neighbors of a 4-year-old Waipahu girl, who fell more than 30 feet onto a concrete parking area from the top floor of a multistory building, said she remains in critical condition at the Queen's Medical Center.

The girl had climbed onto an upholstered chair and somehow went over the railing at 94-333 Pupuole St., neighbors said, pointing to two chairs that had been brought downstairs and leaned up against a wall.

The girl was in critical condition and taken by ambulance to the Queen's Medical Center on Wednesday night, according to Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the Department of Emergency Services.

Floridel Umayam, 33, had tears in her eyes when she spoke of the little girl, who reminded her of her own young children. "Just thinking about it, dropping right there on the cement," she said.

Umayam said she normally parks her van there but was not home at the time.

Police said they responded to the call, but the girl and her parents had already left for the hospital when officers arrived.

Inquiries into the matter show that apparently no further police investigation was conducted.

Maurisa Tafia, 8, was sad that her neighbor was hurt. "She's my friend. I played with her sometimes."

As for her friend's condition, Tafia said, "She's still breathing."

"It's very sad," said Debbie Akiona, 48, who has daughters of her own.