IPOH: The Fire and Rescue Department took nearly nine hours bringing down a woman who sustained rib injuries after a 10-metre fall while descending Gunung Korbu's Sultan Azlan Shah Dam climbing route in Ulu Kinta yesterday.
The 90-kilogramme woman was successfully evacuated from the forest reserve at 1.30am today and transferred to medical personnel for treatment at the hospital.
Perak State Fire and Rescue Department Assistant Director of Operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the victim was part of a group of 35 climbers with five guides from the Perak State Forestry Department.
The rescue operation began at 4.20pm yesterday after an emergency call was received at 3.29pm, led by the Tambun Fire and Rescue Station Chief with 12 personnel and mountain guides.
"The victim slipped into a ravine estimated to be 10 metres deep while descending Gunung Korbu. The incident site is about three kilometres from our base via a steep hiking trail, taking two to four hours to traverse," Ahmad said.
He added that a size-up using rescue equipment and assistance from mountain guides was conducted before initiating rescue operations around 4.20pm.
Challenges included navigating in darkness, crossing three rivers about 10 metres wide, and slippery paths due to rain, requiring equipment transport including stretchers.
"Another challenge was the lack of phone signal, with the nearest communication point two hours away towards the exit or one and a half hours uphill from the victim," Ahmad said.
The victim reportedly fell while crossing a fallen tree trunk along the riverbank. Incidents of falling have been reported at that location before.