Last two rescued rafters stop by memorial for dead firefighter

Last two rescued rafters stop by memorial for dead firefighter

2026-09-02

Two river rafters stranded in Nantou’s Zhuoshui River have finally been brought to safety. After their raft capsized in raging floodwaters last Sunday, the pair were trapped on a sandbar for four days. Rescuers battled dangerous weather and terrain to reach them, and in the process, a rescuer lost his life. This morning, as conditions finally improved, a helicopter swooped in and airlifted both men to safety. After finally making it out, the two men went straight to a memorial for the perished firefighter, where they met his grieving mother.

The two remaining stranded rafters have finally been rescued. They were lifted out by helicopter, to prevent any further tragedies. The two were conscious, able to move and with stable vitals. Still, they were sent to a hospital for a checkup.

One of the rescued rafters is Mr. Liu, who sobbed inconsolably while waiting for a doctor. A rescuer surnamed Wu died while trying to save him.

- I’m so sorry
- Will you consider the risks in the future?
- I might stop doing this sport altogether. Nothing I say will bring him back.

Mr. Liu was part of a group of five people who went rafting on the Zhuoshui River in Nantou on Aug. 30. Their raft capsized in the strong current. Two rafters made it to safety and one was rescued. But Mr. Liu and a fellow rafter surnamed Chen were left stranded on a sandy bank near Sunhai Bridge for four days, due to the bad weather. They were airlifted to safety on Wednesday, after drinking river water for days.

Mr. Liu
Stranded rafter
I heard they airdropped supplies to us four times. We looked hard for them. We wanted to survive.

The two stranded rafters wrote a message in the sand asking for help. Rescuers airdropped supplies, which the rafters were unable to find. Back in the city, they both stopped at the memorial for the deceased rescuer, Mr. Wu.

- Their rescue cost my son his life. Please tell everyone in the group to come.

Mr. Wu’s mother was all tears as she asked Mr. Liu and Mr. Chen to call over the other rescued rafters and pay respects to her son.

Mr. Chen
Rescued rafter
I’m so sorry that I was the reason you lost your life. I’m really sorry.

Mr. Liu
Rescued rafter
I’m devastated. You were such an amazing firefighter, and you sacrificed your life to save us.

Mr. Liu and Mr. Chen mourned the death of the firefighter and apologized to the mother of the man who gave up his life trying to rescue them.

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