Tragic Fall: Retired Teacher's Death in Taiwan's Scenic Area Leads to Court Battle

Husband's Lawsuit for National Compensation Fails, Highlighting Safety Concerns in Popular Hiking Trail

A retired teacher, identified as Ms. Chang, tragically lost her life after falling from the Kuai-Shan Giant Tree Trail in the Guanwu National Forest Recreation Area in Taiwan. Her husband, Mr. Wu, filed a lawsuit seeking 8.15 million in national compensation, arguing that the trail's steep and unprotected nature contributed to the accident. The New Hsinchu District Court, however, ruled against Mr. Wu.

The court’s decision was based on the conclusion that the accident site lacked evidence of inadequate setup or management. Furthermore, the court determined that there was no direct causal link between the absence of protective measures and Ms. Chang's fatal fall.

Mr. Wu's claim stated that on the morning of June 6, 2023, Ms. Chang was walking with friends approximately 500 meters from the trail entrance when she slipped on a wooden step during a downhill section. She then fell into a deep valley, approximately 140 meters below. The site of the accident had a narrow trail, about 1 meter wide, bordered by a steep slope. Critically, a 19-meter stretch lacked any protective barriers. Mr. Wu argued that the lack of safeguards, particularly in such a dangerous area, constituted a significant infrastructure oversight, especially considering that other less steep sections of the trail had railings or ropes.