Commandos rescue 38 stranded in jungle

KUALA KRAI: The 38 people who fell sick while being stranded in the jungle with more than 100 participants of an off-road expedition, have been rescued. 

A team of VAT 69 police commandos helped them out, some on piggybacks, to the search and rescue operations centre at SMK Lakloh, about 270km from Kota Baru, where they were given first aid.  

By 8pm yesterday, 11 participants of the Terengganu International 4WD Rainforest Challenge (TIRC) 2007 still remained in the jungle. They are likely to be helped out by today if the weather improves.  

Boats and 4WD vehicles were used in the search and rescue operation. 

Kelantan deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Amir Hamzah Ibrahim said it was fortunate that the rescuers worked fast as the weather deteriorated in the evening. 

This year’s TIRC, involving 350 participants from 35 countries has proven to be the toughest challenge since its inception in 1997. It is also billed by the organisers as among the toughest in the world. 

Participants were required to go through rough terrain in Jerteh, Besut, Setiu and Kenyir Lake before ending on Monday at Pantai Batu Buruk in Kuala Terengganu. 

Nearly 180 participants were trapped in the jungle at Sungai Rek, when a makeshift bridge collapsed while other access roads were cut off by rising floodwaters on Saturday. 

Most of them have since managed to drive 40km to Kampung Miah, a tiny farming community located between here and Gua Musang, where the VAT 69 police commandos rescued them.  

Event coordinator Thomas Foo thanked the rescuers, particularly the VAT 69 team that came in by boats and ran non-stop for 10km for the rescue mission. 

He also recorded his appreciation to the doctors, firemen and community leaders for their support.