A Taipei-based couple surnamed Tseng fell off the slope of the Dadongshan Trail in Chiayi County last night. Due to the darkness, they were unsure of their exact location. After using a whistle to signal for help, they were finally rescued and sent to the hospital late last night. Fortunately, there were no life-threatening injuries.
Chiayi County Fire Bureau stated today that at 6:28 p.m. yesterday, a report came in about two people having fallen off the slope near the Meteor Rock cliff on the Dadongshan Trail. Rescue teams from the Third Brigade — including the Fenchihu, Fanlu, Zhongpu, and Sanhe rescue squads — were immediately dispatched.
Since the trapped individuals initially did not know where they had fallen, but were carrying whistles, rescuers used the sound to locate them. Search efforts began near Longyun Villa, the starting point of the hikers, and rescuers identified the direction of the whistle sounds. Using vehicle headlights to pinpoint their location, the team then hiked in with equipment to conduct the rescue.
According to the fire bureau, the couple who fell were a 52-year-old man surnamed Tseng and his 48-year-old wife, surnamed Xu, from China. They are believed to have fallen about 200 meters down the slope from the trail. The man suffered an ankle injury, while the woman sustained head and waist injuries. Their vital signs are stable, but they are unable to walk.
First responders treated their wounds and immobilized both individuals using long backboards. They were then pulled up from the steep slope onto the main trail. Rescuers took turns carrying them in relays to the entrance of the Dadongshan Trail. They were finally sent to the hospital for treatment by ambulances from the Fenchihu and Fanlu squads late last night. 1050305
(CNA)