KOTA KINABALU: A French couple trekking through Sabah’s gateway to Borneo’s rainforest wonders became trapped for nearly two hours after losing their way.
But a quick distress call to the emergency number 999, which connected them to the Sandakan Fire and Rescue Services Department, successfully located and rescued the husband and wife, Santarelli Antolne Pierre and Girodet Charlene, both aged 36.
The couple, who were holidaying in Sandakan, had visited the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), located about 23km from Sandakan town, for a hiking trip.
The RDC is home to a 620-metre-long skywalk, the longest in Sabah, as well as loop trails, the Sepilok Giant tree, the Plant Discovery Garden, an exhibition hall, and scenic views around a central lake.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station chief, Sr Fire Supt Jimmy Lagung, said Pierre made the emergency call at 1.24pm after realising they were lost deep within the forest.
"Seven personnel from the Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station, led by operations commander Yenscales Konin, were immediately deployed, arriving at the scene by 2.04pm.
“Rescue teams moved swiftly towards the couple’s last known location, about seven kilometres from the RDC entrance, using land routes. The operation was also assisted by RDC rangers," Lagung said when contacted on Tuesday (April 29).
After an extensive search, RDC rangers found the couple at 3.08pm at a resthouse within the centre, about a kilometre away from where they had made the emergency call.
“Both were unharmed but understandably shaken. They were later rescued via boat along a nearby river,” he said.
The couple were first taken by boat to Kampung Bambangan, around two kilometres away, before being transported back to RDC by a Forestry Department vehicle for further action.
Lagung stressed that the couple’s quick decision to call for assistance had greatly aided the rescue efforts, ensuring their safe recovery.
Apart from firemen, the search and rescue operation was also supported by RDC rangers and local authorities.
