Female Hiker Killed After Being Blown Off Cliff Edge in Fangshan

原创 Mina Yan theBeijinger

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This year, Beijing’s windy winter began with tragedy after a hiker was blown over a cliff edge in the city's southwestern Fangshan District. The 53-year-old female hiker had been hiking with her friends on Sunday morning when she was blown off the 20-meter-high cliff by a strong gust of wind.

The hiker was found on Sunday afternoon by the Beijing Fangshan Blue Sky Rescue Team after a two-hour-long search and rescue mission, reported Beijing News.

The captain of the rescue team told Beijing News that they had received a rescue call on Nov 17, describing one hiker as missing and several others injured after a period of particularly strong wind, with gales reaching up to 9 on the Beaufort scale.

"At the base of the mountain, the wind level is around 7 or 8 but on top of the mountain, it can get to around 9. That’s strong enough to carry someone weighing 150kg off the cliff. The mountain winds are strong and fierce. They feel like knives cutting into your face,” said the captain of the rescue team.

By the time Fangshan Blue Sky Rescue Team arrived at the scene, four friends were waiting at the scene and the rest had been evacuated.

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The wind has already caused at least one other incident this year, dislodging a sign outside of Chaowai Soho two weeks ago which struck a woman in the head. She was later taken to hospital where she was reported to be in stable condition.

If you intend to go out hiking this winter, remember to always let someone know where you are going and do not venture out in poor weather conditions. Additionally, make sure you have the right gear.