TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — Two hikers were airlifted to safety on Wednesday morning (Jan. 24) after one developed hypothermia during their ascent of the Wuling Quadruple Mountains in Taichung, local reports confirm.
The duo embarked on their journey a day earlier. While they were at Pintian Mountain at around 6 p.m. a 46-year-old male hiker began displaying symptoms of hypothermia. His female companion, identified as Chen, promptly contacted the authorities.
Initially planning to seek refuge in a nearby cabin, Chen lost her way and, lacking proper provisions, with only a basic sleeping bag, she made a second distress call to the fire department.
Rescue operations faced challenges due to heavy snowfall, which obscured the trails. Firefighters reached the hikers around 4 a.m., discovering the man with back and waist pain, possibly incapacitated.
At 6:40 a.m., they reported the mountain's weather conditions, leading the fire department to request helicopter assistance for the rescue.
Both hikers were safely transported to Dongshih Farmers' Hospital for medical treatment.