Toddler came within a foot of falling into active Hawaii volcano after mother took her eye off him

A toddler narrowly escaped serious injury at Kilauea Overlook when he ran toward the edge of the caldera on Christmas day.

The boy's mother managed to grab him just in time, averting what would have been a fatal 400-foot plunge in Pāhoa, Hawaii.

Jessica Ferracane, a public affairs specialist for Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, witnessed the heart-stopping moment unfold.

She explained that she initially thought the boy's mother was simply ignoring the barriers but quickly realized the woman was desperately trying to save her child.

The incident left the family visibly shaken and stunned onlookers in silence.

'We're always telling visitors keep your kids close, but when you see something like that happen and somebody almost dies, it's really an upsetting experience for everybody there,' she told Star Advisor.

Ferracane noted that the family, comprised of six or seven adults, appeared distracted when the boy wandered into the closed area. 

The group, who were not English speakers, left shortly after the incident, preventing park officials from communicating with them directly.

The park, which has seen an influx of visitors since Kilauea began erupting earlier in the week, continues to remind the public of the dangers near the caldera. 

Despite a pause in the eruption Wednesday morning, hazardous conditions persist, including toxic gas emissions and unstable terrain. 

The glow from Halemaumau, a lava lake within Kaluapele, remains visible and has grown to 600 acres since the 2018 eruption.   

Visitors are urged to stay on trails, respect closures, and monitor air quality, as volcanic gases can pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable individuals. 

Superintendent Rhonda Loh emphasized the importance of adhering to safety measures.

'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 Loh. 

Loh added, '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.' 

Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii erupted early Monday morning, with lava fountains erupting from fissures within the summit caldera.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) issued a 'code red' alert after detecting increased earthquake activity.

Footage showed a line of fissures erupting lava fountains, feeding lava flows within the summit caldera.

'The activity is confined to the summit caldera and the hazards will be reassessed as the eruption progresses,' the USGS said in an announcement.

Kilauea Volcano, formed underwater 280,000 years ago, is the youngest and most active volcano in Hawaii. In Hawaiian legend, it's the home of Pelehonuamea, the goddess of volcanoes and fire.

Kilauea has erupted more than 60 times since the 1800s, releasing high levels of volcanic gases, including water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which can create vog – a haze that impacts air quality. 

Located on the Big Island, home to approximately 200,000 people, Kilauea's eruptions can significantly impact the surrounding environment and communities.

Scientists warned of an imminent eruption after a surge in seismic activity last week, with over 100 small earthquakes detected. 

Ground deformation and increased seismic activity indicated the movement of magma beneath the surface. High levels of volcanic gases pose a significant hazard.