TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A six-person hiking team on the Batongguan Traverse Trail (八通關越嶺道) near Alishan encountered tragedy during the Tomb Sweeping holiday on Saturday when a female member was swept away while crossing the Lakulaku River.

The 53-year-old hiker, surnamed Jiang (江), was reportedly hard to spot in the water as she was wearing purple clothing, black pants, and a black backpack. Her group also had difficulty calling for help due to a lack of cell phone coverage in the area, requiring them to hike some distance before they could report the incident, per CNA.

The Hualien County Police Department's Yuli Branch said it received a 119 emergency call on Saturday afternoon. The report stated the group had entered the trailhead at Zhuoxi Township on Thursday and planned to descend to the Walami Trail entrance two days later.

However, heavy mountain rains had caused the river to swell significantly. While attempting to cross the river, Jiang slipped, fell into the water, and was quickly swept out of sight. Her companions hiked to Jiaxin Station to place the emergency call.

After receiving the report, police and firefighters formed a search and rescue team and began operations that evening. They eventually located Jiang in the lower reaches of the Lakulaku River in Zhuoxi Township. She had no vital signs when found and had been dead for some time.

The rescue team transported her body to the mountain entrance during the night, where it was handed over to police for autopsy. Authorities are continuing their investigation.