‘Shocking scene’: Toddler runs toward 400-foot cliff during Hawaii volcanic eruption

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is warning the many visitors coming to view Kilauea’s most recent eruption to take precautions after a toddler snuck past a barrier and almost fell off a cliff.

In a Thursday news release, the National Park Service said a “shocking scene unfolded” Christmas Day as viewers gathered to watch Kilauea’s lava at Kaluapele, the summit caldera, around sunset.

“A toddler wandered off from his family and in a split second, ran straight toward the 400-foot cliff edge,” according to the release. “His mother, screaming, managed to grab him in the nick of time just a foot or so away from a fatal fall. Disaster was averted, and the shaken family departed. A Christmas to remember?”

Volcanic eruptions at the Hawaii Island park attract a huge uptick in visitors, and NPS said the incident is a reminder of how hazardous these events can be. “Those who ignore the warnings, walk past closure signs, lose track of loved ones, and sneak into closed areas to get a closer look do so at great risk,” the release said, especially at the popular Crater Rim Trail that puts visitors right over the caldera.

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“The hazards that coincide with an eruption are dangerous, and we have safety measures in place including closed areas, barriers, closure signs, and traffic management,” said Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh in a statement. “Your safety is our utmost concern, but we rely on everyone to recreate responsibility. National parks showcase nature’s splendor but they are not playgrounds.”

Since Kilauea – one of the world’s most active volcanoes – began erupting on Monday, hordes of travelers have flocked to the UNESCO World Heritage Site to witness the spectacle, causing traffic congestion and crowded parking lots and overlooks. Considered the home to the goddess Pelehonuamea, Kilauea’s eruption also represents a sacred event in Hawaiian culture and travelers are asked to be respectful while there.

Nighttime visitors, who get to see the lava glow against the dark sky, should be especially careful of the unstable cliff edges and treacherous terrain by driving slowly and keeping an eye out for pedestrians and nene, the Hawaiian goose, the park said.

Those with respiratory or heart issues, people who are pregnant, and children, should check the air quality before visiting as the eruption also brings toxic gas emissions, including carbon dioxide.

The eruption took its second pause Christmas morning, but could possibly restart at any time.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Toddler runs toward cliff near erupting Hawaii volcano

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