Taipei, March 13 (CNA) The father of Japanese cyclist Hiroyuki Shirai, who was killed by falling rocks last year in scenic Taroko Park in Hualien County, has made a donation to the hospital for treating his son to express his gratitude for the assistance of Taiwanese people.

The Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital announced the donation and a letter from the man Tuesday.

In the letter, Shirai expressed thanks to the hospital and those who offered care and assistance when his son was being treated there.

In addition, he expressed regret after learning that Hualien was hit by a strong earthquake last month, and his hope that the hospital and friends in Hualien were safe from damage caused by the tremor.

Saying he is thankful for local people's donations for disaster victims in Japan, he decided to make a cash contribution to Tzu Chi as a blessing for the Hualien victims.

The hospital said Shirai donated 200,000 Japanese yen (US$1,866) as a token of his gratitude.

Tzu Chi hospital superintendent Lin Shinn-zong (林欣榮) said he was touched by the "circle of goodness" manifested in Shirai's contribution and blessing.

Hiroyuki Shirai, 35, died five days after being hit by falling rocks while cycling near Taroko Gorge Sept. 9 last year.

His father and fiancée flew from Japan to take the urn with his ashes home. As they departed Sept. 16, more than 100 Taiwanese cyclists showed up to accompany Shirai on his journey from the hospital to Hualien City Railway Station.

(By Lee Hsien-feng and Elizabeth Hsu)

Related links：收到滿滿的洋蔥信  日本家屬捐款助花蓮災後重建

Father of Japanese cyclist who died in Hualien makes donation ..._focustaiwan.tw