KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation on Saturday night (Sept 19) for a male hiker who became separated from his group in the jungle near Kem Tudung Periuk, Gua Musang.
The victim, Muhammad Asrul Quyyum Asmmuddin, 23, is believed to have slipped from the hiking trail and fallen down a slope. He did not sustain serious injuries and is able to walk.
A Kelantan fire department spokesman said the Operations Control Centre (PGO) contacted the victim, despite unstable phone coverage in the area, and he shared his location through WhatsApp.
"The victim has a torchlight, a whistle, and about 75% battery life remaining on his smartphone.
"He has been instructed to stay at his current location while waiting for the SAR team to arrive, as well as to conserve his phone battery and torchlight," he said in a statement on Saturday night.
He said the victim was advised to blow his whistle three times at intervals of a few minutes, then stop and listen for a response.
"If he hears a whistle or voices, the victim is asked to first determine the direction of the sound rather than moving towards it immediately.
"The victim was also requested to inform Kelantan PGO if he is found by any SAR team," he said, adding that the operation is still ongoing.
The fire department received a call about the incident at 8.08pm. The Gua Musang Fire and Rescue Station sent a Fire Rescue Tender and a Hilux vehicle to the location, 116km from the station. – Bernama
