Firefighters bring the rescued trekkers to safety. — Bomba photo
KOTA KINABALU (May 6): The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) found the bodies of two missing hikers and a trekking guide at Mak Sina Valley River Trekking, Lahad Datu early this morning.
Lahad Datu fire station chief Sumsoa Rashid said the three bodies — a 44-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman alongside a male guide — were found trapped under a log.
He said three of the trekkers managed to escape on their own while nine others were rescued by firefighters.
A total of 15 hikers, some aged between 25 and 58, were initially stranded during their trek yesterday due to rising waters and a six-man Bomba team went to the scene after receiving a report at 8.28pm.
Sumsoa said three of the trekkers managed to escape on their own while nine others were rescued by firefighters.
This left three people still missing by the end of the first day of the search and rescue (SAR) operation.
“On the second day of the SAR operation, the team found and retrieved three bodies, comprising a man and a woman, while one is unidentified, under a log at around 1.37am (today).
“The bodies were handed over to the police for further action and the operation concluded at 1pm,” he said.