2 dead, boy rescued in Nantou mountain accident

Taipei, Aug. 17 (CNA) Two hikers have died on Mt. Kelekele'an in Xinyi Township in Nantou County, while an eight-year-old boy who was with them was rescued despite showing symptoms of hypothermia, local authorities said Saturday.

Officials with the Nantou County Fire Bureau said they received a report around noon Saturday that the boy, his 70-year-old grandfather, and the grandfather's 63-year-old female friend were trapped on the mountain in central Taiwan.

The group had set out from Hualien County on Aug. 8 to climb the Southern Section Three trail (also known as the Danda-Dongjun Traverse), with plans to descend via Dongpu in Xinyi Township on Aug. 17.

On Aug. 12, however, the trio were caught in the onslaught of Typhoon Podul while hiking on Mt. Kelekele'an, and were forced to set up camp due to heavy wind and rain. Their tent was damaged and leaked under the downpour and strong gusts, according to the officials.

Prolonged exposure to the cold left the hikers physically exhausted and likely suffering from hypothermia, the officials said. Given the victims' critical condition and the remote location, the fire bureau immediately requested helicopter assistance.

The National Airborne Service Corps dispatched a helicopter that conducted a ground landing rescue to bring the elderly man, the woman, and the boy down the mountain, according to the fire bureau.

They were rushed to a hospital, but the man and the woman had no vital signs upon arrival and could not be revived despite resuscitation efforts. The boy, diagnosed with hypothermia, remained in stable condition, the bureau said.

Details of the incident are still under investigation.

Local media reported that it was the boy who realized his grandfather and the female hiker were in severe distress and nearly unconscious before using his grandfather's cellphone to dial 112 and call for help.

The National Fire Agency issued a reminder that mountain weather can change rapidly and urged hikers to make thorough preparations and assess their own physical limits before attempting a climb.

Hikers were also advised to avoid routes beyond their capabilities and to carry satellite communication equipment to provide quick location information in emergencies and maximize the chances of a timely rescue.

Mt. Kelekele'an, with an elevation of 3,505 meters, is located along the Southern Section Three trail and is one of Taiwan's 275 Baiyue (Hundred Peaks).