RANAU: Severe gastric reflux forced a climber to seek help despite almost reaching the Panalaban base camp of Mount Kinabalu here.
After receiving a distress call at 11.50am, the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department's Mountain Search and Rescue (MOSAR) personnel reached the victim in two minutes and gave initial treatment.
The 35-year-old man was 600m from Panalaban.
The base camp, at 3,272m above sea level, is a resting point for climbers before they continue towards the summit after midnight.
"The team carried the victim down to Timpohon Gate (starting point) using a skirt robinson stretcher.
"The victim was taken to the Kundasang health clinic with the department's ambulance.
"There were 12 MOSAR personnel and a park staff. The operation ended at 4.45pm."