Hiker Falls 66 Stories Deep Near Yushan Main Peak, Body Retrieved by Helicopter

A 6-person climbing team was on their return journey from Yushan Main Peak when a hiker surnamed Cai accidentally lost his footing and fell approximately 66 stories deep near the leeward section of the peak. The Nantou County Fire Bureau was notified and initiated a rescue operation. The body was airlifted out of the mountain by helicopter today, May 16th, and subsequently handed over to the police for further processing.

The fire bureau received the report of Cai's fall early yesterday morning and immediately activated the mountain rescue mechanism. Initially, four firefighters were dispatched to the mountain, accompanied by two police officers from the Tataka Squad of the Sixth Detachment of the National Police Agency's Seventh Special Police Corps.

To expedite the rescue, three staff members from the Paiyun Management Station of the Yushan National Park Administration, who were closest to the accident site, proceeded to search first.

Around 9 a.m. yesterday, the first team of rescuers located Cai about 200 meters below the trail in a valley approximately 66 stories deep. He was assessed to have no vital signs.

The fire bureau stated that the accident site was steep and extremely slippery. Rescuers could only initially secure the body with ropes to prevent it from sliding further. Furthermore, due to the influence of a weather front, Yushan mountain areas have experienced dense fog and low visibility for several consecutive days. After assessing weather information, helicopter retrieval was deemed impossible. Consequently, four additional specialized mountain rescue personnel were dispatched. They overcame the difficulties of long-distance transport by carrying the body in rotation and using rope dragging methods.

Under the perilous conditions, rescuers successfully carried the body to a clearing on the trail at 6:34 a.m. today. As the fog in the mountain area slightly dispersed, the on-site commander applied for helicopter support from the Ministry of the Interior's Aerial Operations Corps. The helicopter landed at the National Fire Agency's Training Center at 8:50 a.m. and the body was handed over to the police.

The fire bureau added that due to recent weather impacts in the mountainous areas, trails are extremely slippery and muddy, with some sections posing risks of rockfalls. They urge the public to thoroughly assess their physical fitness and weather information before entering the mountains, to be equipped with warm and anti-slip gear, and to avoid forcing climbs in adverse weather to ensure safety. (Editor: Li Ming-tsung) 1150516