An Australian man has been rescued after a seven-day search in a remote Taiwanese mountain region, after searchers heard his saxophone. Matthew, 50, disappeared following a hike intended to clear his head after an argument with his wife on May 8.
The Disappearance
Matthew's relatives alerted local authorities on May 10 after he failed to return home or answer any calls. He had been hiking in a cliff area in the eastern Coastal Mountain Range near Taitung, on Taiwan's southeast coast. It is understood he went down into a ravine to find water but became stuck when he realised the slope was too steep to climb out of. Oddly, Matthew brought his saxophone on the hike but did not have his phone, hiking shoes, or food.
The Rescue
The instrument came in handy on Tuesday, May 12, when he played it to alert searchers of his whereabouts. A drone found the Australian sheltering in a cave. 'I spent a lot of time praying. I read my Bible, I can sing, I play music,' he said. The Taitung County Fire Bureau was initially unable to reach Matthew due to the unstable, steep terrain and poor weather conditions. Rescuers used knives to clear a route to the hiker and also used drones to send him supplies while he waited for rescue. The mission took over 100 hours to complete by the expert crew.
Rescue Operation Details
'Drones were used to airdrop food and supplies to Matthew while rescue teams advanced on foot from two directions,' the Taitung County Fire Bureau told the Taipei Times. 'Rescuers reached Matthew on Thursday evening but rain, dense vegetation and dangerous terrain forced them to camp overnight before escorting him down the mountain.' Matthew was finally rescued and reunited with his tearful wife on Friday, May 15.
Aftermath
'It's a miracle. Thank you, Taiwan,' he told reporters. Matthew suffered no serious injuries during his seven-day ordeal. Local authorities said recent rain had likely provided him with enough drinking water, while the cave safely sheltered him from the elements, preventing hypothermia. A total of 33 rescue vehicles and 144 people helped in the search. Matthew's friend and pastor, Kao Yung-hsu, said the keen hiker had previously volunteered in disaster relief work. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it had provided consular assistance to an Australian in Taiwan but could not share further details due to its privacy obligations.
