Three days trapped in Gunung Jerai ravine, desperate cries save solo hiker

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — A solo hiker who spent nearly three days trapped in a ravine on Gunung Jerai in Kedah was rescued after three passing hikers heard his desperate cries for help and alerted rescuers, according to Berita Harian.

The 34-year-old is believed to have slipped into the ravine while hiking alone at Padang Tok Sheikh at about 4pm on Sunday. He lost all of his personal belongings in the fall, leaving him unable to call for help.

His ordeal ended last night when three hikers heard him shouting from about 15m to 20m below the cliff edge and contacted the Kedah Fire and Rescue Department.

A nine-member team from the Guar Chempedak Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched after receiving the emergency call at 7.30pm.

“When the operations commander arrived, he met the three hikers who had made the call,” the department said in a statement.

“They heard the victim shouting for help from the ravine, about 15 to 20 metres below the cliff.”

Firefighters initially received no response when trying to reach the man from above before descending into the ravine using ropes.

The victim was found about 20m below the edge, conscious and safe.

“He told rescuers he had been hiking alone since 4pm on Sunday before slipping and falling into the ravine.

“He also said he could not contact anyone for help because all of his personal belongings were lost during the incident,” the department added.

Rescuers fitted him with a body harness and hauled him to safety using a rope rescue system.

Despite spending almost three days stranded in the ravine, he escaped without injuries and was in stable condition.

He was handed over to police before being taken to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani for further examination. The rescue operation ended at 11.36pm.