Four canyoning and hiking enthusiasts from Kaohsiung had gone canyoning in the Xinwulü River a few days ago. They had originally planned to descend the mountain the next day, but due to heavy rainfall intensifying the previous evening, the group decided to head down early. As they were about to reach the Xinwulü Bridge, the river suddenly swelled, leaving one person stranded on a sandbank and another swept away by the torrent. The swept-away individual was found on a sandbank approximately 2 kilometers downstream and was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately could not be saved.
Authorities stated that the distress call was received at 11:00 AM. The Kuanshan Brigade of the Fire Department deployed all personnel for the rescue mission. Upon arrival, they immediately rescued the person trapped on the sandbank. The individual who had been swept away was also soon located downstream. Rescuers used a rubber boat to pull them ashore and administer emergency aid, but it was too late.
The members of the canyoning group expressed deep sorrow, stating that as they were descending, the river water suddenly surged, stranding the four on a sandbank. Initially, two of them attempted to cross the river at risk, but when the third person tried to follow, they were suddenly swept away. There was no time to rescue them, and they could only watch helplessly as their companion was carried off by the current.
(China Times)