A married couple surnamed Zhang from Yuli Township, Hualien County, were taking a walk on the Wulami Trail in Zhuoxi Township around 4 p.m. on the 13th. About 2 kilometers from the trailhead, the wife reportedly lost her footing due to poor visibility and fell, suffering a fractured right shin with severe bleeding and immobility. Her husband was unable to carry her out and had to call for police and firefighter assistance.
The Yuli Fire Department dispatched 10 police, volunteer firefighters, and forest rangers from the Yushan National Park Administration to rush to the scene. Due to rapidly changing mountain weather in the afternoon, heavy fog significantly reduced visibility, and rain made the path muddy and slippery. These conditions not only slowed down the rescue but also tested the rescuers’ physical strength and determination. After overcoming numerous obstacles, the rescuers arrived on-site, first immobilizing the woman’s injured leg to prevent further harm, then carrying her in relay all the way to the trailhead before transferring her to an ambulance for hospital treatment.
Lin Wen-rui, Director of the Hualien County Fire Bureau, urged the public to pay attention to personal safety during mountain hikes. He advised hikers to ensure they have proper gear, sufficient food and water, and to assess their abilities when facing steep terrain—avoiding rash advances and ensuring they hike with companions rather than alone to safeguard their lives. He also warned against hiking at night to prevent accidents and avoid tragedies.
(China Times)