An Australian man missing in a remote mountain region in Taiwan for a week has survived his ordeal – revealing how he used his saxophone to help rescuers locate him.
The 50-year-old, known only as Matthew, was stranded for days along a cliff in the eastern Coastal Mountain Range near Taitung, along Taiwan’s southeast coast.
According to local media reports, Matthew had been hiking above the cliff area but became stranded after climbing down a ravine.
His initial hike was sparked following an argument with his wife.
The Taitung County Fire Bureau deployed rescue crews, including volunteer firefighters and forestry personnel, after receiving a missing person’s report last Monday.
Speaking to 7News, Matthew revealed he “spent a lot of time praying”, reading his Bible and playing music in the time he went missing.
He eventually used his saxophone to alert rescuers of his location.
Authorities said the rescue was complicated by heavy rain and unstable terrain.
“Drones were used to airdrop food and supplies to Matthew while rescue teams advanced on foot from two directions,” the Taitung County Fire Bureau said, per reports from 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 yesterday.”
Miraculously, Matthew walked away with no injuries.
“It’s a miracle. Thank you, Taiwan,” he told 7News.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed its staff are helping the Australian.
“(DFAT) is providing consular assistance to an Australian in Taiwan. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” a department spokesperson said.
