A 14-member “off-trail hiking” team from Taoyuan was climbing the southern section of the Nanheng mountain area. One hiker suffered gastric bleeding and was stranded at an altitude of 3,200 meters, prompting a request for police and fire department assistance. Rescue personnel had planned to launch a rescue mission by air yesterday afternoon, but poor weather conditions forced them to turn back. This morning, firefighters from Kaohsiung City and Taitung County set out again to carry out the rescue.
The Kaohsiung City Fire Bureau stated that they received a report relayed from the Taichung City Fire Bureau yesterday, indicating that a hiker with gastric bleeding was located at a campsite under Sancha Peak at the border between Taoyuan’s Taoyuan District and Taitung County, accompanied by two team members awaiting rescue.
Yesterday (February 28), the first wave of the fire department’s search and rescue team prepared to head out for the mission and set up camp at the Sentao Police Station in the evening. In the afternoon, the helicopter was unable to take off due to heavy fog at the site. This morning (March 1), starting at 6:30 AM, six rescuers departed from the Sentao Police Station to carry out the rescue operation, working together with members of the Taitung Fire Bureau and the Mountain Rescue Association.
A helicopter from the Air Rescue Squadron arrived at the target area at 7:54 AM, but due to cloud cover, it was confirmed that entry was not possible. The helicopter has returned to the Ching Chuan Kang Airport and will continue to monitor weather conditions before reapplying for air rescue support.
(China Times)