TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A man and his two-year-old son were swept away in their vehicle while crossing a stream in Hualien County’s Erzi Mountain on Sunday (Sept. 8).

Lin was among a group of seven off-road vehicles driving through the riverbed. A sudden downpour caused the stream to rise, and Lin took the lead, believing his four-wheel drive system could complete the crossing, per UDN.

The 19 individuals trailing behind witnessed the water sweep away Lin's vehicle with himself and his son inside. Hualien County Fire Department deployed a search and rescue crew, but their efforts were hampered by darkness, poor visibility, and turbid water. 

Rescuers eventually found Lin's lifeless body at 10 p.m. on Sunday (Sept 8), approximately 3.5 kilometers downstream from his overturned vehicle. The search for Lin’s two-year-old son is ongoing, with advanced search and rescue equipment. 

An excavator was deployed at 1 a.m. Monday (Sept. 9) to create a safe passage for the rest of the vehicles in the off-road tour group.