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A 22-year-old hiker was in serious condition today after touching a power line and falling about 30 feet in the Waianae Range.
The man was injured at about 12:10 p.m. on Mount Kaala Road.
An Emergency Medical Services report said the man apparently climbed a utility pole, then fell about 25 feet after touching the line and being shocked. The man sustained burns but remained conscious and was treated by paramedics, who took him to a hospital in serious condition, the report said.
Honolulu Fire Capt. David Jenkins said five fire companies responded to a call about a hiker in distress and found the man had fallen after touching a power line. Firefighters used a helicopter to pick up the man and take him to a landing zone at Kaneaki District Park, where he was transferred to paramedics.
Jenkins said it was not certain if the man was hiking with a group, but someone else at the scene called for help. It was not clear how the man had come into contact with the line, Jenkins said.
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