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Case Study 7

Death by Volcanic Laze 1

Travis W. Heggie, Tracey M. Heggie and extremely advanced for the estimated time of
Tanner J. Heggie death (maximum 48 hours prior to body recovery)
and in comparison to the male victim. According
Introduction to the medical examiner, the female had
Despite the potential risk to human life, active perimortem first- and second-degree burns to her
volcanoes have become popular attractions for head, neck, shoulders and upper chest area, and to
tourists and others interested in adventure all limbs. She also had perimortem wounds to the
recreation pursuits. One such example is the head, face and limbs that were superficial in
ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano and the Pu‘u nature. Examination of the male victim also found
O‘o vent in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, no obvious burns to his clothing. Moreover,
where tourists and other spectators regularly abrasions and lacerations to his body were also
gather to hike to active lava flows and view lava perimortem and superficial in nature. However,
flowing into the ocean. In November 2000, there were very obvious perimortem first- and
authorities at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park second-degree burns to his head, neck, limbs and
received a report of two bodies found near the areas of his trunk.
ocean entry in an area of the park referred to as the During the autopsies, no evidence was found
Eruption Site. Both bodies (one Caucasian male; indicating that lightning or violence could have
one Caucasian female) were located approximately been factors in the deaths. The medical examiner
91m directly inland from the ocean entry and were did report, however, that the burns were consistent
located on the eastern side of active lava flows. The with those caused by a hot gas or vapour rather
bodies were located approximately 12m apart from than contact with hot liquid, contact with a hot
each other. In addition, the male victim had a object, or radiant heat. This was based on the
backpack that was found 6m west of his body. An findings of undamaged clothing and the regions of
expert geologist at the scene with considerable the bodies that were burnt. For example, both
experience in the park reported seeing no sign of victims sustained burns to areas that were
volcanic spatter and no evidence of a recent unprotected or protected by a single layer of
explosion in the area. clothing. No burns were indicated or obvious
where there were three layers of clothing. In areas
The aftermath where there were two layers of clothing there
were some burns indicated and observed where
The bodies were removed via a sling load attached the clothing may have been penetrated or tucked
to a Hawai‘i County rescue helicopter. Two days up. The final cause of death determined by the
later autopsies of the victims were conducted by a medical examiner was death as a result of
medical examiner for the County of Honolulu. pulmonary edema caused by inhalation of volcanic
Dental records identified the victims as a 43-year- laze, sustained when the victims were exposed to
old male and a 42-year old female. Examination of the plume near the ocean entry.
the female victim found no obvious burns on her This incident highlights a potential hazard
clothing. However, her state of decomposition was when entering areas of volcanic activity. What

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