The Thang Mo Commune People’s Committee in Tuyen Quang Province said it received an emergency report from the family of Thao Va Sung at around 7.23 pm on October 25.
Sung, 62, had entered a forested area near a stream in Ha Gia Hamlet, Thang Mo Commune, at around 10 am that day to collect firewood. When he had not returned by 5 pm, his family and neighbours searched the surrounding area but could not find him, prompting them to alert the authorities.
After receiving the report, rescue teams launched an urgent search. At around 9.30 pm, they found Sung’s hat on the stream bank and later discovered him unconscious in a deep ravine below the stream, about 400 metres from where the hat was found.
Rescue forces found Sung at the scene (Photo: Thang Mo Commune People's Committee).
Initial findings indicated that Sung had slipped and fallen because of the darkness and slippery terrain. He sustained serious injuries to his head and legs, as well as injuries to both eyes, leaving him unable to move independently before he gradually lost consciousness.
Rescuers provided first aid at the scene, fashioned a stretcher and carried him through the forest and across streams to Thang Mo Commune Health Station for emergency treatment. He was then transferred to Yen Minh General Hospital for further specialist care.
Rescue forces take Sung for emergency treatment (Photo: Thang Mo Commune People's Committee).
Thanks to the timely search and rescue operation, Sung had regained consciousness by the morning of October 26, and his vital signs were gradually stabilising.
