A team of four university students was hiking along the Batongguan Historic Trail when a male student surnamed Li slipped and fell down a collapsed slope, injuring his waist and leaving him immobile. He urgently called for help via satellite phone. On the 2nd, an Air Police Brigade helicopter attempted a hoist rescue, but thick cloud cover prevented the operation. On the morning of the 3rd, the helicopter instead picked up nine rescuers in Yuli Township and began a trek up the mountain to reach the group. The hike is expected to take about one day, with hopes of reaching the injured hiker as soon as possible (see photo, photo courtesy of Yang Hansheng).
Lü Guanchen, captain of the Third Brigade of the Hualien County Fire Bureau, said the four-person hiking team entered the mountains from Dongpu in Nantou. According to their original application, they were supposed to exit via the same route from Dongpu. However, the four hikers continued heading east, passing through the Daxiuku and Miyasang areas and reaching Tomass on the 2nd before arriving at Yixila, with plans to descend via Yuli.
As the group was traveling through mountainous terrain near Yixila, which sits at an altitude of around 1,800 meters, the 22-year-old male student surnamed Li suddenly lost his footing and was injured. After discussing the situation, the four decided to set up camp on-site and called for assistance.