SANTUBONG: A mountain climbing trip at Mount Santubong for more than 100 students of a private college turned into a tragedy when nine of them stranded for more than seven hours inside the woods here.
Efforts to rescue the students whom lost their way inside the woods only concluded at about 3am today.
About 12 hours earlier, the group was on their way down the mountain when a female student identified as 20-year-old Lukefina Cinderella suddenly became unconscious.
A college spokesman, whom requested anonymity, said concern over the safety of their friend, eight of the students adjourned their journey while others proceed ahead.
“The students had reached level 10 of the mountain at this juncture. The eight friends, whom noticed Lukefina collapsed, waited behind and offered help.
“While they were busy helping Lukefina, the students did not realise that they were separated from the main group,” the sources said adding that the students immediately informed a college’s officer for help.
After waiting for a few hours, three of the students decided to proceed ahead with the journey.
Their journey, however, was short-lived when of the trio identified as Romie Mosuta, also 20, fractured right leg.
Petra Jaya Fire and Rescue station chief Mohamad Raffy Saibi said 14 men in one engine was rushed to the scene to rescue the students after receiving a distress call at about 7pm.
The rescue team, Raffy said, was assisted by 18 men from the Civil Defence Department and the police.
“The first group of three students, whom had proceeded ahead with their journey after being separated from their friends, were rescued at 10.15pm.
“About 30 minutes later, the rescue team found the remaining six students, whom were stranded inside the woods,” said Raffy.
Since the weather was dark, Raffy said the rescue team had to bring down the remaining students in a group of two.
Lukefina, he said, was rushed to the Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching for treatment.