A man surnamed Tu from Miaoli and a woman surnamed Fan from Hsinchu climbed the Huoyan Mountain range in Yuanli on the morning of the 29th, intending to find the Yuanli Canal Water Conservancy Cultural Heritage Monument. However, unfamiliar with the Huoyan Mountain trails and lost due to their first climb, they became exhausted and stranded in the mountains. Mr. Tu called 110 for help. After about three hours of searching by police, firefighters, and hikers, the two were finally found and safely escorted down the mountain.
Mr. Tu and Ms. Fan had climbed Huoyan Mountain on the 29th to locate the site of the Yuanli Canal Water Conservancy Cultural Heritage Monument. However, as the monument had been installed many years ago and the mountain trails had been eroded over time by rain, overgrown with weeds, and the old paths had disappeared, they searched all morning without success and ended up getting lost and stranded in the deep mountains.
Chen Jintang, deputy director of the Shanjiao Police Station under the Tongxiao Police Precinct, stated that at around 1 p.m. that afternoon, they received a 110 report that two people were stranded in the Huoyan Mountain area and requested rescue. The Shanjiao Station immediately contacted nearby Sheoling Station and Yuanli Fire Brigade personnel along with about 10 local hikers, rushing to the Huoyan Mountain area to search. Police contacted Mr. Tu via mobile phone after entering the mountain and used the phone’s GPS positioning system to search in the direction of the signal.
Chen Jintang said that after three hours of searching the mountain, they finally found the pale-faced and exhausted 62-year-old Mr. Tu and 55-year-old Ms. Fan in a mountain gully about 4 kilometers from where Mr. Tu had parked his vehicle, on the eastern side of the Huoyan Mountain range. During the rescue, Sheoling Police Station Chief Chen Shiwei and Officer Wu Jingping were suddenly attacked and stung by a swarm of hornets. Fortunately, the two were treated at Dajia Guangtian Hospital and were later unharmed. In the end, everyone helped escort Mr. Tu and Ms. Fan down the mountain to ensure their safety.
Mr. Tu told the police that he and his colleague Ms. Fan had climbed Huoyan Mountain for research purposes to find the location of the Yuanli Canal Water Conservancy Cultural Heritage Monument. It was their first time climbing this mountain range, and they didn’t realize how challenging the climb would be. They hadn’t done proper research beforehand, which led to them losing their way. He expressed gratitude to everyone for their timely help.
Police reminded hikers that during hot weather, it is essential to stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke. Additionally, hiking carries risks, so it is advised to check trail conditions and hiking routes online in advance to ensure personal safety.
(China Times)