Missing female hiker believed to have strayed off Gunung Batu Putih trail
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TAPAH: The female hiker reported missing on Gunung Batu Putih is believed to have strayed from the designated trail before losing contact yesterday.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director Sabarozi Nor Ahmad said Jaslinda Saludin, 49, was believed to have deviated from the descent route after reaching the 2,132m summit alone.
He said the victim’s last known location was at the peak at 9am yesterday, after last communicating with a mountain guide at 7.30am.
“The victim is believed to have left a mark at the summit before contact was lost. Based on information received, she may have strayed from the original track.
“The intended descent route was towards Kuala Woh, but we believe she may have veered towards Gunung Rayu or Pos Musoh,” he said at a press conference after today’s search-and-rescue (SAR) operation at the Tapah Fire and Rescue Station.
Sabarozi said operations were suspended at 6pm today and would resume at 8am tomorrow, focusing on the Gunung Rayu area, with an Agusta 139 helicopter from Bertam Air Base deployed to airlift additional rescuers.
He said search teams had also discovered footprints believed to belong to the victim in an area off the main trail.
“It rained yesterday and it is hot today, so the footprints are still visible. They are not on the main route, suggesting she may have taken an unused path,” he said.
He added that the SAR operation faced challenging conditions, including poor communications, steep terrain, slippery trails due to rain, and thick cloud cover.
The operation involves the Fire and Rescue Department, Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM), police, Forestry Department and mountain guides.
Jaslinda had joined the Trans Spenser Chapman climb with 13 others and two mountain guides on May 23 via the Pos Gedung–Gunung Bah Gading–Gunung Batu Putih–Kuala Woh route.
She had continued the ascent alone after another climber experienced health issues, and was last seen by a guide at 7.30am yesterday.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
المصدر: New Straits Times