A freshman at National Taiwan University (NTU) remained in a coma yesterday after accidentally strangling himself on a rope the previous evening during an activity where students dressed up as ghosts to scare high-school students participating in an annual camp.
The university’s College of Management holds the annual camp for high-school students to learn more about economics and commerce, as well as give them an opportunity to interact with students from the college.
Wednesday was the first day of the camp and the activity was held to offer students some fun after the day’s courses. Patterned after a horror house, the event was divided into 11 stages in which 44 freshmen tried to scare campers.
Photo: Chiu Chun-fu, Taipei Times
A 19-year-old student, surnamed Hsieh (謝), was given the role of a revenant that came back to life after being hung, according to Hsieh’s brother, who is also a student at the university.
Hsieh’s partner, surnamed Su (蘇), said that he heard several camp participants saying that Hsieh’s impersonation looked very realistic. Wondering why Hsieh had not made a sound for some time, he checked Hsieh and found that he was unconscious, apparently from asphyxiation from the rope around his neck.
Su said he immediately called emergency services for help.
Hsieh was sent to the National Taiwan University Hospital for treatment. Although medical personnel were able to restore his breathing, he remains in a coma.
Police said they were working with school authorities to find out what happened.
University secretary-general Lin Ta-te (林達德) said that the school strictly prohibits any activities involving scaring people.
Camp organizers submitted a plan for the event, but did not give details on what it involved, Lin said.
A camp counselor had voiced concern about similar activities in 2014, and the university has since made it clear — verbally and in writing — that any play-acting that involves the “fear factor” is strictly forbidden, the university said.
“We are sorry to hear that yet another incident has occurred and will look into arranging for tighter patrols by campus police,” it said.
The university is considering holding a meeting with event planners to emphasize what activities are allowed during such events.
Organizers said that the camp would complete its five-day, four-night course, but all outdoor activities have been moved indoors.
Refunds will be given to those who decide to drop out, they said.
Additional reporting by Yao Yueh-hung
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