According to Zhu Zheming, captain of the First Brigade of the Hualien County Fire Department, the team leader surnamed Chen reported that he was leading a group of hikers all from Taichung on a five-day, five-night trek through the northern section two of the Central Mountain Range. On the third day of their journey, they had planned to set up camp at Wuming Pond. However, while traveling between Wuming Mountain and Wuming West Peak, a 49-year-old man surnamed Xiao and a 61-year-old man surnamed Liang reportedly fell off an unnamed cliff approximately 70 meters high. Other team members rappelled down into the valley,
where they confirmed that the two men had suffered severe injuries and showed no signs of life. Their bodies were wrapped and carried to a flatter area as the team waited for rescue.
The accident site requires a three-day hike to reach
Upon receiving the report, the Hualien County Fire Department immediately requested air support from the Air Rescue Squadron. However, due to poor weather conditions, helicopters were unable to carry out the rescue mission. Meanwhile, five rescue personnel equipped with ropes were deployed from the Xinxio Branch to enter the mountain. It is estimated that ground teams will need about three days to reach the location where help was requested. The cause of the accident remains unknown at this time.
Since the accident occurred in a remote mountainous area at the border of Taichung City and Hualien County, the Taichung City Fire Department also sent four officers to assist from the western side. According to data from the Central Weather Bureau, the mountain area had cloud cover but no rain. If conditions allow, a helicopter rescue operation could be launched as early as the morning of the 4th. However, it will still take rescuers about two to three days to reach the site on foot.
One of the hikers who fell into the valley is suspected to be Liang Weiming, a professor in the Department of Applied Chemistry at Providence University in Taichung. After the news broke, his Facebook page was flooded with condolence messages, filled with grief and sorrow. The university is actively trying to verify the information but has not yet confirmed it. Liang’s son, Liang Daosheng, said that due to poor communication in the mountains, the family has not been able to get in touch with the hiking group and is still verifying the details.
Hiker feared to be Providence University professor
Providence University stated that they are actively gathering information through fellow hikers and have learned that Professor Liang did indeed go hiking, though the exact location is unknown. When contacted by phone, Liang’s son, Liang Daosheng, said that because of poor communication in the mountains, they have not yet been able to confirm anything.
Liang Weiming, who was passionate about hiking, often used his spare time to train at Dakeng to build stamina. Recently, to promote alpine ecological conservation, he helped establish the “Taiwan Mountain Reforestation Association” and was elected as a board member. Cai Zhihao mentioned that during a meeting last week, Liang Weiming happily told friends that he only had a few more peaks to climb to complete his “hundred peaks” challenge. Unfortunately, his plans were cut short.
According to Liang Weiming’s last Facebook post on the morning of the 2nd, he checked in with a photo of the scenery at Lingming Mountain, commenting, “The view is amazing!” He also wrote, “Getting water, eating instant noodles, and having tea at the Lingming East Saddle Campsite.” Lingming Mountain is located in the Taroko Mountain area.
Tributes pour in on Liang’s Facebook
After the news broke last night, many friends left messages of mourning on Facebook, saying things like “Rest in peace, Professor Liang,” “I can’t believe it’s him,” and “Professor, didn’t you promise to come back safely before my wedding?” The messages conveyed deep sorrow and regret.
The school is actively trying to verify the information, and if it is confirmed that the deceased is Professor Liang, they will provide full assistance.