KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian student, Saida Nadia Rosli was rescued on Sunday morning, by local police after spending a night on Mount Tongariro, in New Zealand, when she became separated from her hiking group.
Saida went on a mountain excursion up Mt. Tongariro along with five of her friends on Saturday, Nov 8. During a group break, she decided to hike alone in order to reach the peak earlier. Seeing that there was no one in the area, she then turned back but her foot got stuck in the snow and she slid 50 metres down the side of the mountain.
Saida managed to contact the police around 5pm the same day but had to turn the phone off before they could locate her as her phone battery was weak.
A rescue team was nonetheless deployed throughout the night. Around 8.30am the next day, Saida spotted the rescue helicopter and made a call to the police using the remaining battery power. She was located and rescued soon after the call.
Saida was flown to Taupo Hospital where she received medical treatment for a sprained ankle and was discharged the same day. The Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand has been in constant communication with Saida’s father to render the necessary assistance.