A dramatic incident unfolded at Taiwan’s famous Yushan East Peak when a pair of hikers were struck by lightning, leaving one man temporarily paralysed and a female companion with a head injury. The event occurred on the morning of Wednesday, with emergency services responding swiftly to the call.
According to reports, the 57-year-old male hiker and his 45-year-old female friend were attempting to reach the summit when they were caught in a sudden thunderstorm. The lightning strike left the woman bleeding from her head, while the man experienced full-body numbness. The hikers remained conscious and were able to call for help.
Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Fire Department received the distress call at 11:43am. Since the incident took place in Nantou County, the report was immediately forwarded to the Yushan National Park authorities, who coordinated with local rescue teams. Four search and rescue personnel were dispatched to reach the stranded hikers.
Search and Rescue Operation
The two hikers were located near the triangulation point of Yushan East Peak. The female hiker’s head wound appeared to have been caused by flying debris from the lightning strike rather than a direct hit, while the man’s paralysis was likely due to the shockwave of the strike. Rescue personnel departed from Paiyun Lodge at 2pm and reached the hikers around two hours later at Fengwei Rock. The injured were treated on-site and monitored before being safely escorted down the mountain. Plans were made to request helicopter assistance if needed.
Safety Advisory
Officials emphasised that hikers should exercise extreme caution during thunderstorms, particularly in high-altitude areas where lightning is more frequent. Even with partial protection, falling debris and shockwaves from nearby strikes can cause serious injury.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of mountain hiking during severe weather. Authorities continue to urge outdoor enthusiasts to check forecasts and avoid summit attempts when thunderstorms are predicted.