An Australian man missing in Taiwan for seven days has been found alive after using his saxophone to help rescuers locate him in remote mountain terrain.
Stranded high in the mountains near Taitung on Taiwan’s east coast, Matthew survived for days with no food and only the thongs on his feet.
“I spend a lot of time praying. I read my Bible. I can sing. I can play music,” Matthew said.
His ordeal began after an argument with his wife, with the Australian fleeing into the wilderness before becoming stranded deep in the rugged terrain.
Taking shelter in a cliffside cave, Matthew used his saxophone to sound the alarm in the hope somebody would hear him.
Remarkably, rescuers located him alive after four days, but reaching him proved difficult.
Drones were used to airdrop food and supplies before rescue crews launched a challenging ground operation to bring him to safety.
After seven days stranded in the mountains, Matthew eventually walked out relieved and uninjured.
“It’s a miracle. Thank you, Taiwan,” he said.
Now reunited with his wife, Matthew has promised not to disappear into the mountains again.
