Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) today expressed the government’s regret over the death of a volunteer from Taoyuan who succumbed to an infection after helping disaster relief efforts in Hualien County, reminding volunteers to protect themselves.
The volunteer, excavator company boss Lin Hung-sen (林鴻森), 48, sustained an injury that led to an infection and sepsis when helping disaster victims in Guangfu Township (光復), said Lin Yi-hua (林奕華), who handled Lin's funeral arrangements.
Along with his nephew, Lin hauled two Bobcat skid steer loaders to Guangfu after flooding left the small village covered with a heavy layer of mud and debris, Lin Yi-hua said.
Photo courtesy of Lin's family
While taking part in the cleanup, Lin sustained a cut on his left leg, but continued working, even as it became increasingly swollen, Lin Yi-hua said.
After eight days, he agreed to call an ambulance and was taken for treatment at Mennonite Christian Hospital in Hualien, Lin Yi-hua said.
At the hospital, Lin was diagnosed with an infected wound, but initially remained in stable condition.
However, on Saturday, he was transferred to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, after which he lost consciousness, the funeral director said, citing what he had heard from Lin's family.
Over the weekend, Lin's condition deteriorated, leading to his death last night from multiple organ failure brought on by sepsis, the funeral director said.
Speaking to reporters before a Legislative Yuan session, Cho offered his highest condolences on behalf of the Executive Yuan and said the volunteer would be remembered as a hero.
The Executive Yuan extends its utmost respect and gratitude to Lin, and hopes that similar incidents would not happen again, he added.
Volunteers helping relief efforts in Hualien must protect themselves and register at a service station first to learn how to best help, Cho said.
In addition, medical service stations must enhance their services, and volunteers who experience the slightest physical discomfort must seek medical treatment as soon as possible, he added.
President William Lai (賴清德) told reporters he was "deeply saddened" to learn of Lin's death, and expressed his condolences to his family.
Central Emergency Operation Center chief coordinator Chi Lien-cheng (季連成) said a deputy health minister would pay a condolence visit to Lin's family later in the day and give them NT$200,000 in consolation money.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) also plans to attend Lin's funeral to extend the government's condolences and gratitude, Chi said.
Cho also addressed calls from opposition parties that the central government propose a special act to respond to the disaster in Hualien.
The Cabinet’s position is to respond in the fastest and most efficient way possible, while calculating the funds necessary for disaster recovery, Cho said.
The quickest approach would be to supplement or amend the existing special act that supported rebuilding after Typhoon Danas and subsequent torrential rains, he said.
The Executive Yuan has never ruled out any specific approach, and would consider anything that the legislature believes is fastest and most effective, he added.
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