A 22-year-old hiker surnamed Lü entered the mountains without permission on the 2nd, climbing Qilai North Peak in Xiulin Township alone. On the way back, he reportedly got lost, fell, and broke his front tooth. After police and firefighters received the report and conducted a rescue, he was successfully brought down the mountain at noon today. Although he is no longer in serious condition, he faces violations of the National Security Act, the Hualien County Mountain Activities Management Autonomous Ordinance, and other regulations, with potential fines reaching tens of thousands of NT dollars.
Zhu Zheming, head of the First Brigade of the Hualien County Fire Bureau, pointed out that at 9 a.m. on the 2nd, they received a report from the Taroko National Park Headquarters stating that a 22-year-old hiker surnamed Lü had climbed Qilai Mountain in Taroko alone and had an accident on the western side of Qilai North Peak at an altitude of approximately 2,839 meters, where he fell and injured himself, resulting in a broken front tooth and an inability to eat. Despite his injuries, he was conscious and able to walk, waiting for rescue on site.
Zhu Zheming noted that a total of eight police officers, volunteer firefighters, and forest rangers were dispatched to the mountains for the rescue. They made contact with Lü that same day, set up camp on-site to help keep him warm, and provided food and water. Originally, they planned to reach the trailhead yesterday, but due to Lü’s injury to his front teeth affecting his ability to eat and leaving him in poor physical condition, the descent was delayed, and they only reached the foot of the mountain at noon today.
Zhang Dengwen, deputy director of the Taroko National Park Headquarters, pointed out that after investigation, it was found that Lü had entered the ecological protection area within the park without applying, violating the National Park Act, for which he will be fined NT$3,000. In addition, the Hualien Fire Bureau also stated that according to the “Hualien County Mountain Activities Management Autonomous Ordinance,” Lü violated regulations including climbing alone, lacking a team leader with at least a basic first aid certification, and not having comprehensive mountain insurance, and further fines will be imposed accordingly.
It is understood that according to the “Hualien County Mountain Activities Management Autonomous Ordinance,” failing to have a team leader with at least a basic first aid certification or failing to have comprehensive mountain insurance can result in fines of NT$10,000 and NT$50,000 respectively. Lü has violated at least five regulations, with the total fine amount potentially reaching tens of thousands of NT dollars.
(China Times)