A hiker in his 70s fell to his death while trying to take a photo with Ulsanbawi in the background near Sinseondae at Geumgangsan Mountain in Goseong County, Gangwon Province.
The accident occurred on the afternoon of October 3, and when rescuers reached him, Mr. A was in cardiac arrest.
It was reported that he slipped while taking a photo, but police are investigating the exact cause.
3-Line Summary
1. Falling accident while taking a photo of Ulsanbawi
2. A 71-year-old hiker fell more than 40m
3. The exact cause of the accident is under investigation
Accident Occurred Near Sinseondae on October 3
According to reports by Yonhap News Agency and the Seoul Shinmun, at around 5:09 p.m. on October 3, Mr. A (71) fell more than 40m near Geumgangsan Mountain’s Sinseondae in Wonam-ri, Toseong-myeon, Goseong County, Gangwon Province, a place also called Seongindae. Mr. A had gone hiking alone and was reportedly taking a photo with Ulsanbawi in the background when he slipped.
The height of the fall was reported as approximately 40m or more than 40m. ngonews.kr reported that the rescue call was received with the report that “a person had fallen below a cliff.” The accident site was described as a place visited by hikers seeking to take photos because it offers a view of Ulsanbawi.
However, Mr. A’s position and movements at the time he was taking the photo, as well as the specific conditions that contributed to his slipping, have not been confirmed. The reported circumstances that he was trying to take a photo and the exact cause of the accident should be considered separately.
Dies After Helicopter Rescue and Hospital Transfer
Fire authorities began rescue operations after receiving the report. According to ngonews.kr, a Yangyang fire helicopter was dispatched to the scene, and firefighters also took part in the rescue operation.
Mr. A was transferred by helicopter to a hospital in Sokcho while in cardiac arrest, but died while receiving treatment. The Seoul Shinmun and Yonhap News Agency also reported both his transfer while in cardiac arrest and his death during treatment.
ngonews.kr reported that there was no safety fence around the rocks at Sinseondae and that the slope was steep. A fire department official quoted in the report urged people to maintain a safe distance when taking photos around rocks or cliffs. What has been confirmed in this accident is that Mr. A died despite the rescue and transfer; detailed determinations about the circumstances of the accident remain to be made.
Police Investigate Circumstances by Interviewing Witnesses
Police are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident by interviewing witnesses and others. Therefore, it is not yet at the stage where the accident can be attributed solely to the act of taking a photo.
This accident near Sinseondae, where Ulsanbawi can be seen, shows that photo-taking locations near cliffs can lead to accidents requiring rescue and transportation. Until the investigation results are released, it is necessary to distinguish between the reported circumstances of the hike and photo-taking and the confirmed fact of the death.
References
Tags #Ulsanbawi #Goseong #GoseongGangwon #Sinseondae #Seongindae #GeumgangsanSinseondae #HikingAccident #MountainAccident #FallingAccident #HikingSafety #AutumnHike #Photography