Man critically hurt by scaffolding

A construction worker in Waipahu was taken to a hospital yesterday after being critically injured by falling scaffolding, authorities said.

The accident occurred at 7:31 a.m. at 94-134 Waipio Point Access Road.

The worker, described as a male in his 30s, was on scaffolding about 10 feet above the ground when it collapsed.

A police officer help pull him out of the debris and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Paramedics transported the man to a hospital in critical condition, according to spokesman Bryan Cheplic of the Emergency Services Department.

  Scaffolding Collapses On Construction Worker

 

His life may have been saved by a Honolulu police officer and some quick thinking co-workers.

[ Watch ]

 

Woman, 60, hit by van in Waikiki

A 60-year-old woman was critically injured yesterday after being struck by a van in Waikiki.

At about 9:30 a.m., police said, a silver 2000 Plymouth Voyager van operated by a Waikiki woman was traveling eastbound on Kuhio Avenue and made a left turn onto Kaiolu Street.

The pedestrian, a Japanese national, was crossing Kaiolu Street in a crosswalk when the vehicle struck her.

The 60-year-old woman suffered head injuries and was taken in critical condition to the Queen's Medical Center.

Big Island air monitored after fires

The state Department of Health is urging Big Island residents to take precautions due to high levels of fine particulates in the air caused by brush fires that have burned more than 1,000 acres.

The fires are in remote areas, but smoke travels and affects communities to varying degrees, the department said yesterday in a news release.

The Health Department is monitoring fine particulate levels in the Kona, Hilo, Mountain View and Pahala areas.

The department found recently that the particulate level in Kona exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard.

The high levels of particulates can causing breathing problems, particularly with respiratory conditions such asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.