StarBulletin.com

Copter rescues hikers, bicyclists


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POSTED: Sunday, May 24, 2009

The Honolulu Fire Department helicopter plucked three hikers and two mountain bikers to safety yesterday in separate incidents at Diamond Head, Kolekole Pass and Peacock Flats.

At about 11:40 a.m., the helicopter responded to a call about a woman in her 60s who was feeling dizzy about 100 feet below the top of the Diamond Head trail, said Fire Capt. Earle Kealoha. The woman and another person suffering similar symptoms were picked up by the helicopter.

At 3:36 p.m., a man reported that he was stuck on the Wahiawa side of Kolekole Pass trail. HFD coordinated with federal firefighters to stop gunfire at an Army range so the rescue could take place, Kealoha said.

Two bikers lost their way at about 6:27 p.m. on a trail that ended in Peacock Flats in the Waianae mountain range, Kealoha said. A fire helicopter made three trips to put up each man and both bicycles.