360-Degree Footage Captures Lucky Hiker's Near-Death Fall in China's Fanzengjian Mountains

Recently, startling footage of a 42-year-old hiker, identified as Yang Meng, has surfaced, capturing the harrowing moment he slipped and fell down a steep slope in China's eastern Anhui province.

Hiker lucky to be alive after camera captures terrifying moment

The incident, which occurred on Monday while hiking in the Fanzengjian mountains, was recorded with a 360-degree camera. The chilling close-up footage reveals Yang skidding down a rain-slicked slope before his fall is abruptly halted by a tree, potentially saving his life. 

In an interview with CNN on Friday, Yang recounted, “When I hit the tree, it felt like a heavy rock crashing down. I was just thinking, ‘There’s no way I’m dead.’” The dramatic video, uploaded on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, has since garnered over 280,000 likes and has been shared over 445,000 times, with countless users expressing astonishment at Yang's survival and disbelief at the narrow escape. 

In a subsequent video shared on the platform, Yang Meng reassured viewers that he had escaped the wreckage with minor bruises to his left leg, stating, “I guess I came out mostly unscathed. Just a little scrape on my left hand and a small cut on my thigh.”

Despite the physical impact being minimal, the incident profoundly affected Yang's perspective on life. He shared, “Life is really short, so we need to cherish every day. I won’t let this incident hold me back. If anything, it’s pushing me to explore the world even more.” His reflections illustrate a newfound appreciation for the fragility of life and a determination to embrace new experiences.

The hike took place in Anhui province, approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles) west of Shanghai. The region has experienced heavy rainfall recently due to the impact of two powerful typhoons, Bebinca and Yagi. Chinese state media reported that Bebinca, which made landfall on Monday, was the strongest storm to hit Shanghai since 1949.