Simon further stated that the 16 year old did not regain consciousness until about an hour after the aircraft touched down. At which point the youth climbed down the wheel well unharmed despite freezing temperatures and a lack of oxygen onto the tarmac and that’s when he was spotted by airport ramp workers. 

Simon also stated the youth who had run away from home did not pose a threat to the airline and he was not being charged with a crime and that he has been medically cleared and was placed with the Hawaiian Department of Human Services. Hawaiian Airlines spokeswoman Alison Croyle said “our primary concern now is the well being of the boy, who is exceptionally lucky to have survived.” 

Stowaways in aircraft wheel wells face numerous health risks, many of which are fatal: being mangled when undercarriage retracts, tinnitus, deafness, hypothermia, hypoxia, frostbite, acidosis and finally falling when the doors of the compartment reopen.