TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A 20-year-old male college student surnamed Li (李) ventured out on the last day of the summer holiday with three friends to Taoyuan’s Yunei Creek, where he tragically drowned in a powerful undercurrent on Saturday (Aug. 31).
Li was later pronounced dead after being found unconscious and taken to the hospital for treatment. The Taoyuan Fire Department reported that Li’s friends suspect he went missing while they were playing in the upstream portion of the creek.
After noticing his disappearance, they began searching for their missing friend. An emergency call was placed at 3:56 p.m., which was received by the Taoyuan City Police Department Daxi Precinct, according to CNA.
Police officers from the Daxi Precinct took statements from the three friends who accompanied Li. They all reported playing separately in the water and did not know his whereabouts. There were no witnesses when the accident occurred.
The Taoyuan City Fire Department Fourth Brigade said that after receiving the report, it immediately dispatched 14 firefighters, 3 fire trucks, and 2 ambulances to the scene. They later discovered Li, who was stuck in an undercurrent near a rock waterslide.
Li was found without vital signs and was suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), prompting ambulance staff to immediately perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Liao Yu-yi (廖育儀), director of Taoyuan City Hall Scenic Area Administration, explained that Yunei Creek is only open to the section between Bridge No. 1 and Bridge No. 2, and is accessible on weekends from June 1 to Sept. 29.
Two lifeguards are on duty in the designated water recreation area, and a ticket fee of NT$50 (US$1.60) is required for entrance.
The drowning accident involving the young college student occurred near the Heping Bridge in the upper reaches of Yunei Creek, an area not open to water recreation.
Taoyuan City Hall Scenic Area Administration officials urge the public to only enter the creek in designated areas and remind tourists to prioritize their safety when playing in the water.
