After receiving the distress call, rescuers studied their search and rescue plan on the mountain.
After 16 hours of effort, firefighters managed to rescue the hikers.
The two “hikers” got lost while chasing a rabbit during a hike on Dongyue Mountain in Lianzhou, Qingyuan, and were trapped for three days and two nights. Yesterday, reporters learned from the Guangdong Provincial Fire Brigade that at 11:30 p.m. on June 26, after 16 hours of continuous search and rescue efforts by local firefighters, the two hikers who had gone missing and were trapped in a valley on Dongyue Mountain in Qingyuan, Lianzhou, were successfully rescued. After a full medical examination and treatment, both are now in stable condition.
Running out of food and water, collapsing in the mountains
At 8:20 a.m. on the 26th, the directly affiliated squadron of the Lianzhou City Public Security Fire Brigade received a report stating that two hikers had set out on their own to explore Dongyue Mountain in Xijiang Town, Lianzhou City, at noon on the 23rd. After reaching the summit, they got lost in the mountains while tracking a rabbit, and their exact location was unknown. Neither of the hikers had brought any food or medicine, and during their entrapment, they survived only on a few pieces of chocolate. One of them felt unwell and collapsed in the mountains, while the other also showed symptoms of exhaustion, heatstroke, and dizziness.
After receiving the report, the local fire brigade quickly dispatched two fire trucks to the scene. At 9:30 a.m., firefighters joined forces with local police officers, 120 emergency medical personnel, and 18-person rescue team’s first wave—guided by villagers familiar with the terrain—headed toward Dongyue Mountain.
Found in the overgrown weeds
It is understood that Dongyue Mountain is over 3,000 meters above sea level. The climb from the foot to the summit takes at least two hours, and the path is rugged and difficult to navigate, with many areas having no real trail—just steep slopes or thorny thickets.
Heavy rain poured down in the mountains at the time of the incident, reducing visibility. The rescue team could only search by feel. Suddenly, a clear cry for help came from the valley. Rescuers at the mountaintop immediately contacted the hikers and learned they were stranded halfway up the mountain, surrounded by rocks. The guiding villager told the rescue team that the area below was a cliff with dense thorny underbrush, making a descent for rescue extremely difficult. At 4:20 p.m., one of the hikers emerged from overgrown weeds as tall as a person after hearing the rescuers’ calls, and both hikers were finally located. The rescuers immediately gave the semi-conscious hiker water and food. After a brief replenishment, the rescuers took turns carrying them down the mountain.
Around 9 p.m. that day, the rescue team carried the two hikers down a mountain path for nearly four hours, arriving at a house at the foot of the mountain, where they met up with the rescue forces waiting there. The accompanying medical team immediately administered intravenous drips and medication to the hikers. Around 11:30 p.m. that night, the two hikers were taken to the hospital for a full medical check-up.
According to the receiving hospital, the two hikers are now in stable condition.
Danger: Thought they could manage on their own
Trapped for two days without calling for help
Shan Manqiu, captain of the Lianzhou City Public Security Fire Brigade, who was in charge of this rescue operation, told reporters that the two hikers were convinced they could find their way out of the mountains, so they did not seek help for two days. They only called for help on the third day when they could no longer hold on.
Shan Manqiu advised that hikers should preferably choose developed areas or those with guide signs for exploration, avoid venturing casually into small paths by the mountainside, and ensure safety. When exploring, carry food and medicine, prepare supplies in case of getting lost or trapped, call for help promptly if in danger, and maintain sufficient strength to wait for and cooperate with rescuers.