By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, March 20: Three men were found safe after they were trapped while hiking at Mount Santubong yesterday.
The fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) operations centre received the emergency call at 7.24 pm and deployed a rescue team led by PBK II Awang Affendi from Petra Jaya station to the scene.
The trio, all aged 28, were found on the rocky cliffs at the other side of the beach in the Permai Rainforest vicinity at 7.50pm.
Earlier during their hike, they were trapped and unable to cross over due to high tide which “closed” the beach route.
Neither could they trek their way back in the dark as they wanted to save their mobile phone batteries for emergency use and to communicate with rescuers.
Throughout the operation, firefighters stayed in contact with the trio while working on methods to rescue them.
Sarawak Forestry Department rangers and Kpg Buntal volunteer firefighters also assisted Bomba in the operation.
They were successfully taken out and safely hiked back to base by 10.20pm.
