JERANTUT: A rescue mission has been launched using both air and ground methods to aid a female hiker, who was seriously injured when a tree fell on her tent at the Seputih campsite in Taman Negara, near Kuala Tahan, earlier today.
District police chief Superintendent Zukri Muhammad said that in addition to deploying a Royal Malaysian Air Force helicopter to airlift the injured Wan Nurulhuda Mior Abdullah, a 14-member rescue team is also attempting to reach the 49-year-old victim on foot.
"The police helicopter is already in Kuala Tahan and will attempt to rescue the hiker tonight, and if we are unable (tonight) then the operation will resume early tomorrow.
"Once successfully airlifted, she will be taken to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan.
"The team on foot involved the police, Pahang Perhilitan (Wildlife and National Parks Department) rangers, APM (Civil Defence Force) members and firemen who entered Taman Negara this evening and will try to reach the victim," he said in a statement adding that it will take the team about 11 hours to reach the campsite.
Meanwhile, Zukri said due to the lack of phone signal at the campsite, they were only informed that Wan Nurulhuda suffered a hip injury and had passed out after the incident.
He said police were alerted about the incident by the Kuala Tahan Fire and Rescue Department at about noon today.
"We were informed that a hiker was injured when a tree fell on her tent while she was asleep today.
"She was part of a group consisting of 10 people including mountain guides who began their trip on Oct 7 and were scheduled to return on Oct 13 (yesterday)," he said.
It was reported a hiker was seriously injured when a tree fell on her tent resulting in severe injuries due to the impact of the falling tree.