A woman is fighting for her life after a horror-themed escape room stunt in Taipei allegedly went terribly wrong, leaving her critically injured and in intensive care.
The incident happened at a branch of the popular escape room chain Logic Screw Escape Room on Saturday night, where a 29-year-old employee surnamed Wu was performing as a “hanging ghost” character during a horror game experience.
According to Taiwanese media reports, the accident occurred at around 7pm during a session themed around a haunted hospital. Wu was reportedly using a rope as part of the scare sequence when the stunt malfunctioned, causing her to be genuinely strangled.
Players inside the room only realised something was wrong after noticing the woman’s face turning blue and purple. Authorities were immediately alerted.
Wu reportedly suffered prolonged oxygen deprivation and at one point lost both her heartbeat and breathing before she was rushed to Taipei Medical University Hospital for emergency treatment.
Doctors managed to revive her, but she remains in the intensive care unit under close observation.
In a social media post, Wu’s brother said the family still does not know how long she was deprived of oxygen and that doctors would need several days to monitor her neurological condition.
He also alleged that some of the equipment used in the escape room may not have been professionally manufactured safety props, claiming the rope involved appeared to be a real hemp rope without emergency release or anti-strangulation protection features.
Police later arrived at the scene to conduct investigations, review CCTV footage and question six individuals linked to the incident. Authorities said there was currently no evidence suggesting deliberate foul play.
Wu’s family has since lodged a formal complaint against the company. Police confirmed that two men, aged 38 and 32, who represent the business, have had their statements recorded.
The case is now being investigated for alleged negligence causing serious injury.
