“It’s a miracle,” said the man, who was lost in the mountains for a week
Credit: 7NEWS Australia/Youtube
NEED TO KNOW
- An Australian man lost for a week in the mountains of Taiwan was rescued, in part, because search crews heard him playing his saxophone, according to his friend
- The hiker, identified only as Matthew, survived without food, proper shoes or electronics by drinking rainwater and sheltering in a cave while rescuers used drones to locate him
- Matthew told local media he had wandered into the wilderness following an argument with his wife
An Australian man lost in the mountains of Taiwan was saved after rescuers followed the sound of his saxophone.
The man, who wished to only be referred to as Matthew, was rescued on Friday, May 15, after a week in the mountains near Taitung on the country's eastern coast, according to the Taipei Times.
Matthew, 50, said he had no food, proper shoes or electronic devices, and he kept himself alive by searching for water and seeking shelter in a cave, per the outlet.
Credit: Bildagentur-online/Joko/Universal Images Group via Getty
He had his saxophone, which a friend said he played to help alert rescuers to his whereabouts, per theTaipei Times.
The Taitung County Fire Bureau stated that it received a report that a foreign national was missing in the wilderness on Monday, May 11, and that a multi-agency rescue operation ensued.
Rescuers located Matthew using drones the following day, but heavy rain and unstable terrain prevented teams from reaching him.
Food was dropped to Matthew via drones, and rescuers ultimately were able to reach him on foot after several days of hiking.
A representative from the Taitung County Fire Bureau said the recent rainfall likely kept Matthew alive by providing him with water, adding that the cave helped protect him from the elements and prevented hypothermia, per the Taipei Times.
The Taitung County Fire Bureau did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
While speaking to News 7, Matthew explained that he entered the woods following an argument with his wife.
“It's a miracle. Thank you, Taiwan,” he said of his rescue.
He added that he has been reunited with his wife and has no plans to disappear into the mountains again, per the outlet.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed it is aware of the incident and is assisting the Australian national, per a statement obtained by News.com.au.
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“(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, per the outlet.
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