By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Rescuers pulled a 48-year-old man out from deep mud in a remote part of Tianliao District (田寮區) at about 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, after being missing for four days, according to the China Times.
The man, surnamed Chen (陳), had a swollen left leg and showed signs of dehydration and hunger when he was found. Police said his vital signs were stable after rescuers pulled him free and took him to a hospital.
Chen left his home in Renwu District (仁武區) by scooter on the evening of Monday, Sept. 7, and did not return. His family reported him missing on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Focus Times, citing Kaohsiung’s Hunei Police Precinct, reported that officers traced Chen’s last phone signal to Alian District (阿蓮區). Surveillance footage later showed his scooter in Cishan District (旗山區) at about 3 a.m. Sept. 8, turning onto Kunshan Road toward Tianliao.
The road near Kunshan Temple (崑山宮) had been closed because of heavy rain. Police found Chen’s scooter parked beside the road and concluded that he may have continued into the mountain area on foot.
Officers from several police stations and the Cishan precinct joined firefighters in searching along possible routes. After several days without finding Chen, the chief of Tianliao Police Station separated from the main search group and walked farther into the mountains on Saturday afternoon.
The officer called Chen’s name near a mound of mud and debris and heard a reply: “Help me, I’m here.” The China Times reported that Chen was stuck in the mud with only his head and hands visible.
Firefighters and rescue personnel were called to help pull him free. Chen was unable to walk because of swelling in his left leg, and officers gave him a sports drink before he was transported to E-Da Hospital, according to Focus Times.
Chen told police that he had left his scooter because of the road closure. He said he lost his footing in the darkness while walking through unfamiliar terrain, became trapped in the mud, and could not call for help because his phone battery had run out.
Police said Chen was initially too weak to explain why he had continued into the remote mountain area.
Hunei police advised people to check weather and road conditions before entering mountain areas during unstable weather. Anyone who becomes stranded or lost should call 110 for police or 119 for emergency services and, when possible, wait in a safe and easily visible location.
Map: View the Kunshan Temple area near Kunshan Road. Authorities have not disclosed the exact rescue site.
