Australian Man Trapped in Cliff Cave for 7 Days Plays Saxophone for Help, Rescued by Taitung Team
An Australian man, Matthew, was rescued after surviving 7 days trapped on a cliff in Taitung. He used his saxophone to signal rescuers, while authorities utilized drones to locate and drop supplies to him.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 15, 2026 at 15:23
- 🔍 Collected: May 15, 2026 at 15:32 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 15, 2026 at 20:37 (5h 4m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Lu Tai-cheng, Taitung County, 15th) Matthew, an Australian man trapped in a cliff cave in the Coastal Mountain Range for seven days, was safely escorted down the mountain today with the assistance of the Taitung County Fire Department rescue team. He said that after getting trapped while climbing down to find water, whenever he wanted to give up, he played the saxophone he carried with him and read the Bible.
"Thank everyone, thank Taiwan," Matthew, who was rescued, said repeatedly to the search and rescue personnel on the Provincial Highway 11 coastal road, accompanied by rescuers and family members. He stated that he spent seven days in the mountains without food, shoes, or any electronic devices, relying solely on his instincts to find water to maintain his strength.
Matthew told the media that he was originally above the cliff but climbed down to the creek valley to find water because he was thirsty. To his surprise, when he turned back, he realized the original climbing route was too high and steep; he couldn't climb back up and was forced to wait near the cliff for a chance to be rescued.
He mentioned that when he felt like giving up, he played the saxophone he brought along, hoping someone would hear it. He also read the Bible because God told him someone would come to save him.
The Taitung County Fire Department rescuers stated they received a report on the evening of the 11th indicating a foreigner had gone missing in the mountainous area of Donghe Township. The fire department immediately set up a forward command post with volunteer firefighters and the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency. On the morning of the 12th, they successfully pinpointed the trapped man's location above the creek source using a drone (FPV drone).
Because the mountainous terrain was fragmented and affected by recent rainfall, the rescue path had collapsed in many places, making ground advancement extremely difficult. Therefore, requesting an airborne helicopter was considered. However, due to continuous bad weather, they could only temporarily airdrop food using drones. Since his vital signs were stable, the fire department and volunteer firefighters split into two groups on the 13th to advance by land. They reached him on the evening of the 14th, but due to the fragmented terrain, dense thorny woods, and rain, they set up camp. Today, they finally escorted Matthew down the mountain.
The Taitung County Fire Department noted that continuous rain in the mountains over the past few days provided Matthew with water to drink. In addition, the cave formed a natural shelter blocking the wind and rain, preventing him from suffering hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to rain.
The fire department stated that this mission extensively utilized drone technology to enhance rescue efficiency. In a steep environment with poor communication and no obvious paths, drones successfully executed precise positioning, route scouting, and airdropping of daily necessities, ensuring rescue route planning and keeping the trapped person supplied with food and water while waiting.
Simultaneously, this mission fully demonstrated cross-agency collaboration and the integration of civilian rescue forces. From May 11 to 15, a total of 33 rescue vehicle trips were mobilized, with search and rescue manpower totaling 144 personnel deployments.
Matthew's friend, Pastor Kao Yung-hsu, said that although Matthew is 50 years old, he has excellent physical fitness and is very dedicated to public welfare. He previously went to Taoyuan Village in Yanping Township to assist with post-typhoon relief work and also went to Hualien for disaster relief, staying for days. He is considered a "shovel hero" in everyone's eyes.
He added that Matthew usually likes to go to the mountains to clear his mind and is very independent. This time, he truly got trapped. On the day he was found, he played his saxophone to help rescuers identify his direction. "Actually, it had the same effect as blowing a whistle, allowing everyone to find him faster."
On the 9th, Matthew went hiking alone in the Coastal Mountain Range carrying his saxophone and Bible in simple clothes. When he did not return, his friends and family noticed something was wrong and reported him missing to the police on the 10th. After police and firefighters found where his scooter was parked, they established a command post on the evening of the 11th. After five days of rescue efforts, he safely descended the mountain this morning. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150515
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(CNA Reporter Lu Tai-cheng, Taitung County, 15th) Matthew, an Australian man trapped in a cliff cave in the Coastal Mountain Range for seven days, was safely escorted down the mountain today with the assistance of the Taitung County Fire Department rescue team. He said that after getting trapped while climbing down to find water, whenever he wanted to give up, he played the saxophone he carried with him and read the Bible.
"Thank everyone, thank Taiwan," Matthew, who was rescued, said repeatedly to the search and rescue personnel on the Provincial Highway 11 coastal road, accompanied by rescuers and family members. He stated that he spent seven days in the mountains without food, shoes, or any electronic devices, relying solely on his instincts to find water to maintain his strength.
Matthew told the media that he was originally above the cliff but climbed down to the creek valley to find water because he was thirsty. To his surprise, when he turned back, he realized the original climbing route was too high and steep; he couldn't climb back up and was forced to wait near the cliff for a chance to be rescued.
He mentioned that when he felt like giving up, he played the saxophone he brought along, hoping someone would hear it. He also read the Bible because God told him someone would come to save him.
The Taitung County Fire Department rescuers stated they received a report on the evening of the 11th indicating a foreigner had gone missing in the mountainous area of Donghe Township. The fire department immediately set up a forward command post with volunteer firefighters and the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency. On the morning of the 12th, they successfully pinpointed the trapped man's location above the creek source using a drone (FPV drone).
Because the mountainous terrain was fragmented and affected by recent rainfall, the rescue path had collapsed in many places, making ground advancement extremely difficult. Therefore, requesting an airborne helicopter was considered. However, due to continuous bad weather, they could only temporarily airdrop food using drones. Since his vital signs were stable, the fire department and volunteer firefighters split into two groups on the 13th to advance by land. They reached him on the evening of the 14th, but due to the fragmented terrain, dense thorny woods, and rain, they set up camp. Today, they finally escorted Matthew down the mountain.
The Taitung County Fire Department noted that continuous rain in the mountains over the past few days provided Matthew with water to drink. In addition, the cave formed a natural shelter blocking the wind and rain, preventing him from suffering hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to rain.
The fire department stated that this mission extensively utilized drone technology to enhance rescue efficiency. In a steep environment with poor communication and no obvious paths, drones successfully executed precise positioning, route scouting, and airdropping of daily necessities, ensuring rescue route planning and keeping the trapped person supplied with food and water while waiting.
Simultaneously, this mission fully demonstrated cross-agency collaboration and the integration of civilian rescue forces. From May 11 to 15, a total of 33 rescue vehicle trips were mobilized, with search and rescue manpower totaling 144 personnel deployments.
Matthew's friend, Pastor Kao Yung-hsu, said that although Matthew is 50 years old, he has excellent physical fitness and is very dedicated to public welfare. He previously went to Taoyuan Village in Yanping Township to assist with post-typhoon relief work and also went to Hualien for disaster relief, staying for days. He is considered a "shovel hero" in everyone's eyes.
He added that Matthew usually likes to go to the mountains to clear his mind and is very independent. This time, he truly got trapped. On the day he was found, he played his saxophone to help rescuers identify his direction. "Actually, it had the same effect as blowing a whistle, allowing everyone to find him faster."
On the 9th, Matthew went hiking alone in the Coastal Mountain Range carrying his saxophone and Bible in simple clothes. When he did not return, his friends and family noticed something was wrong and reported him missing to the police on the 10th. After police and firefighters found where his scooter was parked, they established a command post on the evening of the 11th. After five days of rescue efforts, he safely descended the mountain this morning. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150515
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Text, images, and audio/video on this website are not to be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.