TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An animal lover living in Tainan was killed in a car accident while on his way back from rescuing an injured cat in a mountainous area.
The Tainan City Government Fire Bureau at around 1 a.m. on Monday (Nov. 30) received calls of a car on fire near a bridge on the Yujing District section of Provincial Highway 3. After extinguishing the fire, firefighters discovered the body of the driver trapped inside the wreckage, according to CNA.
Tainan Police Department’s Yujing Precinct said that the deceased, surnamed Chiu (邱), had lived in the city’s Annan District. Chiu, 32, had a strong passion for stray animals.
On Sunday night, he allegedly learned about an injured stray cat in a mountainous area of Nanxi District that needed help, so he drove out and retrieved the cat in order to take it to an animal hospital downtown. However, as Chiu was driving near Jhuwei Bridge, he failed to make a left turn and crashed into the bridge railing.
The car, whose front end was totally destroyed, was immediately engulfed in flames, according to the precinct.
As there were no tire marks on the road, the police believe the accident may have been caused due to Chiu's unfamiliarity with the area and failure to slow down while approaching the bridge. However, further investigation is needed.
The rescued cat escaped the accident unharmed and is being taken care of by Chiu’s family, CNA reported.
Rescued cat (CNA photo)
