KOTA KINABALU: In a heartening turn of events, a 94-year-old man, Sungkit Akup, was found safe after being missing for 24 hours in Kampung Kionsom Baru, Tamparuli, Tuaran, on Sunday (June 9).
Sungkit Akup was discovered covered in mud by a vigilant villager who participated in the search and rescue operation, just 1 kilometer from where he was last seen.
Tuaran Fire and Rescue Services Station chief, Mohd Nor Amit, stated that a distress call was received at 3:02 PM on Sunday after Sungkit failed to return home since leaving at 5:55 PM on Saturday (June 8).
A team of nine men, headed by operations commander Azran Jull, was swiftly dispatched to the location, approximately 11 kilometers from the station.
“He was found by a villager at 4:29 PM. The victim had difficulty walking, but he was in stable condition,” said Mohd Nor. Sungkit was promptly transported to Tuaran Hospital for medical attention.
In an Unrelated Incident, Firefighters Aid Injured Climber
In a separate incident, a female climber who suffered a left leg injury had to be evacuated from Mount Kinabalu by firefighters on Sunday morning.
A team of eight men, comprising two firefighters from the station and six from the Mountain Search and Rescue (Mosar), led by operations commander Reason Justin, swiftly responded to a distress call from a mountain guide at 9 AM.
Ranau Fire and Rescue Services Station chief, Ridwan Mohd Taib, reported that the team reached the location, 2 kilometers away, just 22 minutes later.
“The victim slipped and sprained her left leg. She was carried from KM6 to the Mount Kinabalu climb starting point at Timpohon Gate,” he said.
The 38-year-old climber was subsequently transported to the district hospital for treatment, and the rescue operation concluded at 1:55 PM.
