TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An Asian American man stranded in Taiwan due to flight delays and a failed airport transfer wandered to Taichung, later turning to the police and the American Institute in Taiwan for help.

Taichung City Police Dajia Precinct said the man was traveling from Hong Kong to the US after visiting relatives on Feb. 27. A flight delay led him to miss his connecting flight while transiting Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. 

Since he had spent almost all his money, he was unable to pay for another airline ticket and was unable to return to the US, per CNA.

Police said the man could not speak Chinese. Without money for transportation, he decided to walk to Taipei but got lost and wandered to Taichung. 

Penniless and hungry, he relied upon food provided by kind-hearted people. He wandered for six days, becoming physically and mentally exhausted.

Upon arrival in Taichung's Dajia District, he mustered up the courage to ask the police for help. He was given bottled water, instant noodles, and snacks.

The police contacted the American Institute in Taiwan, which confirmed the traveler's identity and provided a bus ticket for him to return to Taipei. Police paid out of their pockets to provide temporary assistance.