The narrow, rugged, and slippery roads of Miaoli Tai’an’s Hushan Trail made it extremely difficult for police and firefighters to carry the injured hiker, who is suspected to have fallen down the slope, down the mountain for medical treatment. (Photo courtesy of Wu Jingting)
Due to the rugged and narrow mountain roads, when police and firefighters arrived at the scene for the rescue, they used a SKED soft stretcher to transport the injured person and rushed them to the hospital. (Photo courtesy of Wu Jingting)

On the afternoon of the 2nd, a male hiker surnamed Chen on the Hushan Trail in Tai’an Township, Miaoli County, is suspected to have slipped and fallen down a slope, sustaining multiple lacerations and collapsing in pain. Firefighters were dispatched upon receiving the report, but due to the narrow mountain roads and slippery ground, it took over five hours to successfully transport the injured person to the hospital. Fortunately, Chen remained conscious and is currently out of life-threatening danger after receiving treatment.

According to preliminary police information, the 58-year-old Chen was part of a hiking group from Douliu, Yunlin, consisting of more than 20 people who had come to hike on the Hushan Trail. While passing between markers 7 and 8, Chen is believed to have slipped and fallen down the slope, causing multiple lacerations. However, the wet and slippery mountain roads, along with the rugged and narrow hiking trail, made the rescue operation more difficult.

Firefighters received the alert around 12:00 noon and it took them a total of over five hours to successfully get the injured person to the hospital for treatment. Luo Zhengming, deputy commander of the Fifth Brigade, stated that team members entered from the Hushan Trail entrance and spent over two hours reaching the injured person. They found that the victim had multiple lacerations on the head and limbs, with possible spinal injuries, rendering him unable to stand or walk. After administering basic first aid, they used a SKED soft stretcher to carry him down.

The Hushan Trail is a popular hiking route in Tai’an Township, regularly attracting many experienced hikers looking to challenge themselves and experience the thrill of a dynamic and mysterious mountain journey. Unfortunately, the injured hiker Chen happened to fall on a rugged, narrow, and steep section of the trail. That day's slippery conditions added to the difficulty of the rescue. Thankfully, he remained conscious after the fall and is not in life-threatening condition.

The Fire Bureau is reminding the public that mountain weather is changeable recently and trails may be slippery. Hikers should make full preparations to prevent similar accidents from happening again.

(China Times)