Gunung Batu Putih Ops: Hanafi Rescued,  Search For Jaslinda Continues

TAPAH, May 25 (Bernama) -- A man who suffered shortness of breath and vomited blood while hiking at Gunung Batu Putih here was rescued and brought down to the General Operations Force (GOF) 3rd Battalion Camp in Bidor this afternoon.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the victim, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, was successfully brought down from the mountain peak and sent to Tapah Hospital at about 3 pm.

“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 and for the record, the peak of Gunung Batu Putih is  2,132 metres high,” he said in a statement.

He also said the operation faced challenges due to thick clouds at the mountain peak, but thanks to the experience and expertise of the aircraft captain, the operation to bring in the aircraft and carry out the winching process on the victim was conducted safely.

“After the victim was successfully rescued, the aircraft had to leave the area immediately due to weather conditions as the area became covered by clouds again,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sayani said the focus of the operation is now on locating Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who remains missing after sustaining a leg injury and was last seen by a Forestry Mountain Guide (MGP) at about 7.30 am yesterday.

“The last identified location was at the peak where at 7.30 am she climbed to the summit and left a marker at the peak of Gunung Batu Putih, which means we identified that she was there.

“She may have lost her way, so the rescue team will head up and begin the search from the peak of Gunung Batu Putih,” he said.

Earlier, 14 participants together with two MGPs began the Trans Spencer Chapman hike at 2 am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

At 10 pm 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 at 1 pm yesterday.

Meanwhile, Jaslinda's husband Haszman Othman said his wife has nearly 10 years of mountain climbing experience.

He said his wife had always enjoyed activities that challenged herself.

“She (my wife) is indeed experienced in mountain climbing and has at nearly 10 years of experience. Based on Forestry Department records, she was also scheduled to climb this mountain again at the end of this month,” he said when met at the SAR Control Centre at Surau At-Taqwa, Sultan Idris II Woh Power Station.

According to Haszman, 61, his wife, who works as a clerk at a private company, had departed from their home in Damansara, Selangor last Friday to participate in the hike together with two friends.

“My wife’s two friends have safely descended and returned to their respective homes. I am now very worried because my wife has still not been found and the search operation is still actively ongoing,” he said.

-- BERNAMA