Construction worker falls, slides 200 feet in Koolaus

A construction worker on a Hawaiian Electric project in the Koolau mountains above Temple Valley fell and then slid 200 feet, but appeared to have suffered no major injuries.

Capt. Terry Seelig, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman, said the worker slid down a ridge from the job site and suffered only a minor injury to his leg.

Seelig said the department’s helicopter was dispatched just after 10 a.m. after getting the distress call.

The helicopter airlifted the man down the mountain, but extraction took rescuers over an hour.

Darren Pai, Hawaiian Electric spokesman, said the injured worker was part of a crew working on the support structures that hold HECO’s transmission line.

Pai said he couldn’t release further information concerning the contract worker.