TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A 17-year-old high school student surnamed Huang (黃) who had been interning at a Hualien hotel died on Thursday (April 25) from injuries sustained during the April 3 quake, bringing the death toll to 18.
On April 3 morning, Huang was riding a shuttle bus on Provincial Highway 8 to Silks Place Taroko Hotel as it passed through the Tunnel of Nine Turns, reported UDN. Huang, a Hualien Sun Dance Vocational Senior High School student, was interning in a cooperative education program at the hotel.
When the quake struck, rocks fell onto the bus, severely injuring his legs and trapping him inside for 32 hours before being rescued by a search and rescue team. He suffered injuries, including multiple open fractures and chest trauma.
Although he had vital signs when taken to the hospital, he was unconscious and unable to breathe independently, so was placed on an ECMO machine in the intensive care unit of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital.
Yu En-lang (游恩郎), the acting principal of the high school, said teachers monitored Huang's condition every day. However, on Thursday, the hospital said Huang died from organ failure.
The family notified the school, leaving teachers and students deeply saddened. Yu said that if government agencies, organizations, or social welfare groups wish to donate, the school will provide account information or transfer the donations to his family, which is economically disadvantaged.
Huang will be sent home from the hospital, and teachers will arrange for students to visit his home on Friday (April 26) to pay their respects, as well as arrange for counseling for classmates.
Yu said the Silks Place Taroko Hotel intern program is temporarily suspended due to risky mountain road conditions. The school has applied to the Ministry of Education for a new interning location.
