One injured after rockfall hits two motorcyclists on Central Cross-Island Highway

Two motorcyclists were hit by falling rocks, leaving one injured, on the Central Cross-Island Highway in Taroko National Park this morning, Saturday, October 16.

A 46-year-old man, named Liu, and his 44-year-old friend, named Huang, were traveling from Kaohsiung to Hualien City on heavy motorcycles when they were hit by falling rocks, some as large as one meter in diameter, at Cimu Bridge in Taroko Gorge at around 10:30 am.

Liu was hit by one of the larger rocks, causing a right femur fracture. Huang was also knocked off his motorcycle, but was not seriously injured, and did not require medical treatment.

Liu was rushed to Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital where his condition was described as stable, and non-life-threatening.

Personnel from the Taroko Public Works Section of the Maintenance Engineering Office are currently clearing the road of fallen rocks, while engineers are using drones to examine the slope above the road, and will continue to monitor topographical changes in the coming days.

The Public Works Department said that heavy and consistent rain over the last week probably contributed to the rockfall, and urged the public to pay attention to road conditions, when driving on mountain roads.

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