BIG ISLAND NOW
Chopper Rescues Maile Pickers Lost in Volcano Forest
September 17, 2012
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  • Two Hilo residents who wandered off a trail while picking maile in Volcano this morning had to be rescued by a fire department helicopter.

    The pair, described in a fire department statement as a man in his late 40s and a woman in her early 30s, got lost in the Olaa Forest Reserve. They were not identified.

    After they used a cell phone to call 911 at 12:46 p.m., their location was determined by triangulation using cell phone towers, Battalion Chief Warren Sumida said.

    Because of dense forest, the crew of Chopper 1 used a Billy Pugh net to pick up the pair.

    They were airlifted to the Volcano transfer station. No medical assistance was required, fire department officials said.

    http://bigislandnow.com/2012/09/17/chopper-rescues-maile-pickers-lost-in-volcano-forest/