KULAI, Johor: The two Singaporeans reported missing in Johor’s Gunung Pulai forest reserve since Monday have been found.
At about 11.20am on Thursday (Feb 8), Johor police said the duo had been spotted by a helicopter at Ulu Choh Pontian, which is near a lake. The couple had said during a distress call earlier that they were near a body of water.
As the helicopter was unable to land in the area, a boat was deployed to pick them up. Authorities said the pair suffered minor injuries and will be sent to Hospital Pontian.
About 50 people, including firefighters, police and volunteers were involved in SAR operations at Gunung Pulai on Thursday (Feb 8). (Photo: Amir Yusof)
About 50 people including police officers, park rangers, members of Johor’s Fire and Rescue Department, as well as volunteers from Singapore and Malaysia climbing groups, had been involved in the search and rescue operation.
Chronology of events to do with the Gunung Pulai search-and-rescue. (Photo: Amir Yusof)
The duo was identified as Mr Dominick Tan Chang Xiang and Ms Clarice Lum Jie, both 27. Mr Tan was said to be an experienced mountain climber who had hiked Gunung Pulai many times.
Johor police chief Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd had said in a media briefing on Wednesday that it had never taken this long to find anyone reported missing in the Gunung Pulai Forest Reserve.
The pair could have lost their way because they went off-track and did not use a route usually taken by climbers, he said.
Earlier, Singapore volunteer Steven Tan, who headed search operations for the climbing group Thousand Adventure, told Channel NewsAsia that it was heartening to see so many Singaporeans taking time off work to participate.
A record of the rescuers’ conversation with the missing Singaporeans via telephone. (Photo: Amir Yusof)
“The response has been so positive. We had more than 20 volunteers from Singapore both yesterday and today,” said Mr Tan.
This story is developing. Refresh for updates.
