KOTA KINABALU: Firemen had to carry a male climber who was exposed to extreme cold down from the Panalaban base camp on Mount Kinabalu.
Ranau Fire and Rescue Services Department chief Ridwan Mohd Taib said a team of 10 people from its Mountain Search and Rescue (Mosar) team led by Jayrell Tony were dispatched to the location after receiving a distress call from a mountain guide at 2.55pm on Monday (June 24).
The team was made up of volunteer mountain guides as well as two Sabah Parks search and rescue team members.
"The team arrived five minutes later as the base camp is just a kilometre from the Mosar station.
"The 34-year-old local man was given first aid by the team," he said on Tuesday (June 25).
Ridwan said the victim was carried down on a stretcher to Timpohon Gate, the main starting point Mount Kinabalu climbers begin their ascent.
"The victim was taken to the Ranau Hospital for further treatment," he said, adding that the operation was called off at 9.20pm.
It is believed that the cold weather Mount Kinabalu is due to non-stop rain.
Heavy rain over the last few days also triggered at least two landslides early Sunday (June 23).
