NASC chopper can't land due to inconsiderate campers 直升機救玉山摔傷山友  停機坪卻被占據

The rescuers were forced to “jump off” the helicopter hanging in the air as some campers occupied the landing spot and prevented the helicopter from landing.

Presenter: A mountain climber recently injured himself in a fall at Yushan's Mabolasi Crossing Trail and the National Airborne Service Corps was called in to evacuate him. As the NASC helicopter was preparing to land on the apron, it was discovered that two tents were occupying the apron. The helicopter could only hover and the rescue personnel had to jump out. Yushan National Park Headquarters says the tent occupants will be fined for illegal camping.

The helicopter prepares to land on the apron but discovers it's already occupied by two tents.

The helicopter attempted to land, but the strong gusts it created caused the tents to tilt and objects flew in all directions. It could only hover in the air and the search and rescue personnel on board could only jump out from an altitude of four to five meters. There were fears that the flying objects would strike the helicopter.

Mr. Tsai, Search and Rescue Personnel:”This apron was closest to the accident site. We were flabbergasted when we saw the tents.”

On Sept. 20, a National Airborne Service Corps helicopter was called in to rescue a mountain climber who suffered a fall at Yushan's Mabolasi Crossing Trail. It was about to land when it discovered two tents occupying the landing spot. Yushan National Park Headquarters says it will issues fines for affecting rescue operations and flight safety under the National Park Law.

Lu Shu-fei, Dep. Director, Yushan National Park Headquarters:”They were pitched on an apron, which affected flight safety and emergency rescue operations. Under the National Park Law, we can issue a fine of NT$3,000.”

Chen Tsai-hsing, Veteran Mountain Guide:”It's also a risk to pitch tents in spacious and empty areas. If it starts raining and thundering, there is nothing to shelter under and block the wind and rain, and tents can't withstand strong winds at high altitudes.”

Veteran mountain guides say there are legal campsites that are close to trails. People should pitch tents at designated campsites. Even if they want to find their own campsites, they should find ones with sheltering objects and close to water sources. They should avoid cliffs and comply with all regulations, as well as do their homework beforehand.

直升機低飛準備降落，但準備降落在停機坪時，卻看見上頭已經搭了兩頂帳篷。直升機嘗試降落，但強風將帳篷吹得東倒西歪，雜物四處亂飛，只能低空盤旋，救難人員從4-5公尺的高度往下跳，就怕強風將雜物吹起，擊中直升機造成危險。

救難人員 蔡先生：「他的事故點，離觀高停機坪比較近，因為他在對觀，(這個停機坪)離滑落點也近，我們當時看到帳篷是很傻眼。」

這個月20號，空勤直升機出動前往救援，一名攀登馬博拉斯橫斷步道摔傷的登山客，正要降落在八通關線的觀高停機坪，卻發現被兩頂帳篷佔據。由於已經影響救援，造成飛安疑慮，玉管處將以違反國家公園法開罰。

玉管處副處長 盧淑妃：「這次是紮在停機坪上，更影響飛安跟緊急救援。所以按照國家公園法，是可以處3000元的罰金。」

資深登山領隊 陳再興：「(紮營在)空曠地方，如果真的下雨打雷的話，它也是風險。沒有任何遮蔽物，可以幫忙擋風、擋雨的話，風大。尤其高海拔的風，如果大的時候，那個帳篷根本就受不了。」

資深登山領隊表示，當地本來就有合法營地，且鄰近步道，山友入山應依照指定的營地紮營。就算要自己找營地，也應該找尋有遮蔽物，且鄰近水源的凹地，也要避開崩壁地形。山友紮營不僅要遵守規定，也要事先做好功課。