Rescue of Construction Site Manager Swept Away by Floodwaters in Matafan Creek Honored

(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chi, Hualien County, June 11) — On the 8th, Matafan Creek in Hualien County surged violently, sweeping away a construction site manager surnamed Deng along with his vehicle. After 16 hours, he was successfully rescued, and today the Hualien County Government honored 28 search and rescue personnel involved in the operation.

In an afternoon ceremony, the Hualien County Government awarded certificates of appreciation to the rescuers, with County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei personally presenting the honors. A total of 20 firefighters, 2 volunteer firefighters, and 6 civilians were recognized.

Ge Wei-zhi, captain of the Guangfu Substation of the Hualien County Fire Department and on-site commander, recalled that around noon on the 8th, they received a report that a construction vehicle had been swept away upstream of the Matafan Creek Bridge. Upon arrival, they witnessed the vehicle being carried downstream by rapidly rising waters. The rescue operation had to race against time while ensuring the safety of the rescuers.

Ge stated that after the incident, three teams were deployed to the site and downstream areas. Upon reaching the stranded vehicle, they found no trace of the missing manager surnamed Deng. Based on the vehicle’s gear being in 'D' (drive), they concluded the vehicle was moving at the time, leading them to speculate that the man had abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

It was not until around 9 p.m. that they received a public report of hearing cries for help near the Ataumo tribal riverbank. Using a drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera, they spotted Mr. Deng lying on a sand dune, half-submerged in mud, with a 40-centimeter-long driftwood supporting his head.

Ge explained that the trapped location was within a dredging zone, with soil mounds piled up to about three stories high beneath it. Combined with heavy rain washing down thick mud, heavy machinery could not be used, and personnel could not advance recklessly. Fortunately, local residents and construction workers familiar with the terrain guided the team, allowing them to slowly crawl toward Mr. Deng’s location and complete the rescue successfully.

Lin Zhi-jun, a Taroko tribesman who participated in the rescue, noted that the mud on site was extremely sticky and deep—standing up caused one to sink above the waist almost immediately. The rescue required calmness and slow movement. 'If you panic and stiffen up, you’ll sink further,' he said. Covering a distance of over 300 meters took more than an hour.

Lin added that although he had experience in water rescues, this was his first time rescuing someone from mud. At the time, he didn’t think much—his only focus was saving the man. When Mr. Deng saw the rescuers arrive, he became emotionally agitated and breathed rapidly. Lin did his best to calm him, encouraging him to relax and stay conscious.

After 16 hours of relentless effort, Mr. Deng was successfully rescued and brought ashore. He is currently in stable condition, though suffering from brain hemorrhage due to head trauma, and remains under treatment at Tzu Chi Hospital. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150611