Lost woman hiker at Botanical Gardens rescued after 24 hours

 

The lost hiker receiving a hug after her rescue today in a photo posted by Penang state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari. He said the search extended to the hills of Mount Eskine and behind the Surin condominium in Tanjung Bungah. (Facebook pic)

GEORGE TOWN: A woman hiker missing for almost 24 hours in the hills of the Botanical Gardens here has been found safe about two kilometres from where she was reported missing.

A Fire and Rescue spokesman said the rescue team of 44 people comprising firefighters, police and the civil defence, with assistance from experienced climbers took part in the search today.

The woman had been reported missing at 4pm yesterday. “The last time she could be contacted was at 7.30pm.”

“The search operation went on through the night until 2.15am, with the help of the volunteer firemen, police and members of the public familiar with the hiking route on the hill.

A civil defence team reaching out to the lost hiker in the Penang hills today. (Facebook pic)

The search resumed at 8am in the waterfall area of the Botanical Gardens, 2km away from the foothill with the search divided into four sectors within a radius of two kilometres.

“The woman was found safe at 2.57pm on the hill, about two kilometres from where she reportedly went missing. She was then taken to Penang Hospital after the search operation ended at 4.45 pm,” he added. - FMT