KOTA KINABALU: A 94-year-old man was found safe 24 hours after he went missing at Kampung Kionsom Baru in Tamparuli, Tuaran, on Sunday (June 9).
Sungkit Akup was found covered in mud by a villager who joined in the search and rescue operation just 1km from where he was last seen.
Tuaran Fire and Rescue Services Station chief Mohd Nor Amit said a distress call was received at 3.02pm on Sunday after the victim failed to return home since he left at 5.55pm on Saturday (June 8).
A team of nine men, led by operations commander Azran Jull, was dispatched to the location, some 11km from the station.
“He was found by a villager at 4.29pm. The victim had difficulty walking and he was in stable condition,” said Mohd Nor, adding that the victim was sent to Tuaran Hospital for treatment.
In an unrelated incident, a female climber who twisted her left leg had to be carried down Mount Kinabalu by firemen Sunday morning.
A team of eight men, two from the station and six from the Mountain Search and Rescue (Mosar), led by operations commander Reason Justin, was dispatched to the location after receiving a distress call from a mountain guide at 9am.
Ranau Fire and Rescue Services Station chief Ridwan Mohd Taib said the team arrived at the location 2km away, 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 victim was then sent to the district hospital for treatment and the operation was called off at 1.55pm.
