A 68-year-old man surnamed Liu went hiking alone in the Xindian mountain area on the morning of the 25th but lost contact. His family, worried, reported the case to the police. The Fourth Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade of New Taipei City Fire Department formed a special search and rescue team. After three days of continuous searching, they found Liu around 9 p.m. on the 28th. Liu said he had accidentally slipped and twisted his ankle, making it impossible for him to walk down the mountain on his own, and expressed gratitude for the help from the police and firefighters.
Liu had gone hiking alone in Xindian District on the 25th and had been out of contact since the afternoon of the 26th. His family reported the case to the Wufenpu Police Station in Taipei City. They noticed that Liu’s internet browsing history was all related to the Shuangkeng Mountain area in Xindian District, so they then reported the case to the Xindian Police Precinct.
The Fourth Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade formed a special search and rescue team. On the 26th, five team members were sent up the mountain for the search but returned without success. On the 27th, 17 additional firefighters and seven civilian rescuers were deployed, divided into four groups to search the mountain. On the 28th, the search personnel were divided into six groups, and finally around 7 p.m., they found Liu near the Jigong Temple by a path beside Huxing Road in Xindian District.
When the rescuers found Liu, his body was very weak but he still had vital signs. He was taken to Xindian Ken Shin Hospital for emergency treatment and was not seriously injured. Liu said that he had twisted his ankle after slipping and was therefore unable to walk down the mountain on his own. He expressed thanks to the firefighters, police, and rescue personnel for their assistance.
Xiao Likai, leader of the Fourth Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade, said that hikers should prepare sufficient equipment. It is best to carry a GPS or mobile phone (satellite phone), medical equipment and medicine, reflectors, distress smoke flares, and whistles, as well as spare batteries.
Xiao Likai said that in case of getting lost or separated from the group, one should retrace steps back to the original path or seek shelter and wait for rescue. Also, leave clear markings in open areas or use smoke flares and whistles to attract the attention of rescuers.
(China Times)