KUANTAN: A Dutch woman died during a group caving activity at Gua Kepayang, Taman Negara’s Keniam-Terenggan Trail, in Kuala Tahan, Jerantut.
Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Razam Taja Rahim said Pommelien Catharina Maria Meijs, 33, was reportedly found unconscious on Friday during the activity with 16 other individuals from various countries.
He said the search and rescue (SAR) team, comprising personnel from the Kuala Tahan Fire and Rescue Station, the Civil Defence Force from Kuala Tahan, and the police, rushed to the scene upon receiving an emergency call at around 7am the same day.
“The SAR team took three to four hours to reach the location. However, the operation to bring the victim out could not continue due to muddy and slippery trails, as well as unfavourable weather conditions.
“Besides the hilly terrain, the operation to bring down the body had to be halted around 6pm and resumed on Saturday using a helicopter,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
“The victim’s body was handed over to Jerantut police at 11.26am, and brought to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan in Kuantan for post-mortem,” he said.
