JERANTUT: A 49-year-old hiker was seriously injured when a tree fell on her tent at Seputih Camp near Gunung Tahan here today.
The female hiker, who was asleep during the incident, suffered spinal injuries due to the impact of the falling tree.
Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Dr Wan Mohammad Zaidi Wan Isa, who confirmed the incident, said they were alerted by a state Wildlife and National Parks staff early today.
"The victim was part of a group on a hiking activity at Gunung Tahan. They began their climb from Sungai Relau in Merapoh, Lipis on Oct 7. The victim was asleep when the uprooted tree landed on her tent.
"The department was informed that the victim suffered a broken backbone and had passed out. Only one person was injured in the incident.
"We are making the necessary arrangements to bring the injured woman to hospital by using a helicopter," he told reporters after closing a disaster management exercise at Petronas Chemicals MTBE Sdn Bhd in Gebeng near here today.
Wan Mohammad Zaidi said the department will have to airlift the victim from the campsite for treatment as it will require about two days to reach the site on foot.
However, details about the time of the incident and the weather at the respective campsite remain sketchy. Camp Seputih is among the campsites for hikers scaling or descending Gunung Tahan summit (2,187m).