Mountain Rescue Expert Enraged: 'What Do You Think Human Lives Are?' After Firefighter Dies Saving Kayakers Post-Rain

A tragic incident occurred in the upper reaches of the Zhuoshui River in Wujie, Nantou County, where a rapid current accident led to the death of a 50-year-old firefighter who responded to the rescue. On the 31st, mountain rescue expert 'Pao Shan Shou' (Petr Novotny) took to social media to condemn the public's decision to enter rivers after rainfall, criticizing the act as dangerously ignorant and sparking intense online discussion.

How did the firefighter's death occur?

On the 30th, five individuals engaged in water activities along the Wubalas (Wu-Ba) highway river section in Wujie after heavy rain. Their kayak capsized due to sudden river swelling, leaving them stranded. According to the Nantou County Fire Bureau, a distress call was received on the afternoon of the 30th. Upon arrival, two had already escaped, but three remained trapped on a sandbar across the river.

By the afternoon of the 31st, firefighter Wu from the Xinyi detachment and another firefighter advanced into the upper reaches of the Zhuoshui River near the Kasha Creek to conduct a rescue. During the operation, their rescue boat was overturned by the surging current, causing Wu to fall into the water and be swept away by the main flow.

Firefighter Wu, who had served 15 years in the fire department and held professional rescue certifications, was planning to retire next year. His line-of-duty death left behind three young children, the youngest only five years old. The sudden loss has devastated his family and fellow firefighters.

Rescued individuals apologized but quickly defended themselves: 'We checked the weather.'

After being rescued, the five individuals told the fire bureau they had checked the weather before entering the water and expressed deep regret and apology for Wu's death. However, their justification has done little to quell public outrage over their reckless post-rain kayaking.

Pao Shan Shou's emotional post condemns 'lack of common sense!'

Czech mountain rescue expert Petr Novotny strongly criticized the dangerous act of kayaking in wild rivers after heavy rain. On the 31st, he posted on social media, stating that mountain streams become extremely hazardous after rainfall and are not to be taken lightly. He angrily asked, 'What do you think other people's lives are worth?' He called the five individuals' actions 'stupid, ignorant, and arrogant,' emphasizing that such recklessness forces rescuers to risk their lives, sometimes with fatal consequences.

Novotny pleaded, 'Stop letting ignorance and recklessness kill those who save lives,' and concluded his post with a tribute: 'Brother Wu, your mission is over. Rest in peace.'

His post quickly gained massive support, with users commenting, 'This is outrageous—how can those people be so selfish?' 'It's not worth a firefighter's life,' and 'Heavy penalties should be imposed.' Many netizens argue that frontline rescuers should not bear the risks caused by others' irresponsible adventures.

There are growing calls for legal reforms, including implementing a 'rescue cost-recovery system,' legally guaranteeing firefighters' 'right to refuse entry' in dangerous conditions, and pursuing civil and criminal liability against those who cause such incidents. The public demands systemic changes to prevent future tragedies.