 |
| Lava from Fissure 7 slowly advanced to the northeast on Hookapu Street in Leilani Estates on the Island of Hawaii, often called the "Big Island," on May 5, 2018. Photo by USGS/UPI | License Photo |
By Sam Howard, UPI
Officials in Hawaii have confirmed the first lava-related injury stemming from the eruptions at Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island.
A "lava bomb" struck a man's leg Saturday as he stood on the porch of a home near a fissure, Talmadge Magno, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator, told Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
"It hit him on the shin, and shattered everything from there down on his leg," county spokeswoman Janet Snyder told Hawaii News Now. The Honolulu-based TV station said it was the first lava-related injury from the Kilauea volcano.
The man -- who has not been identified, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser -- was transported to Hilo Medical Center.
The U.S. Geological Survey said Saturday the rate of lava flow at the volcano had increased.
On Friday, lava shot up to 300 feet in the air at the Kilauea Volcano.
COMMENTS