TAPAH: A man who suffered shortness of breath and vomited blood while hiking at Gunung Batu Putih here has been successfully rescued and is currently at the Tapah Hospital.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the victim, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, was brought down from the mountain peak to the General Operations Force (GOF) 3rd Battalion Camp in Bidor and sent to the hospital at about 3pm on Monday (May 25).
"This was an integrated effort between the Perak Fire and Rescue Department team and the air unit. Without aircraft assistance, the operation would have been much more difficult as the journey to the peak of Gunung Batu Putih takes about 12 hours.
"The victim was found and successfully rescued about one kilometre from the peak of Gunung Batu Putih, at an estimated altitude of around 2,000 metres,” he said in a statement.
He also said the operation faced challenges due to thick clouds at the mountain peak, but was conducted safely thanks to the experience and expertise of the aircraft captain.
"After the victim was successfully rescued, the aircraft had to leave the area immediately due to cloudy weather conditions,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sayani said the focus of the operation is now on locating Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who remains missing after sustaining a leg injury.
READ MORE: SAR ops underway after hiker goes missing while trekking near Tapah
She was last seen by a Forestry Mountain Guide (MGP) at about 7.30am on Sunday (May 24).
"(Jaslinda’s) last identified location was at the summit of Gunung Batu Putih, where she left a marker.
"She may have lost her way, so the rescue team will head up and begin the search from the peak,” he said.
At 2am on May 23, 14 participants, together with two MGPs, began the Trans Spencer Chapman hike via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.
At 10pm the same day, one male hiker was reported to have suffered breathing difficulties and stopped to rest at Kem Batu Core with an MGP and the female victim, while 12 other participants continued their journey to the Batu Putih Peak before safely exiting to Tapah. – Bernama
