RANAU: The Mount Kinabalu Search and Rescue Team (Mosar) unit had to move quickly after a construction worker fell from the roof of a building on Mt Kinabalu, Sunday.
Head of Ranau Fire and Rescue (BBP) Station, PPgB Ridwan Mohd Taib said the incident occurred at the KM4 construction site at about 2pm.
“We received a call at 2.11pm and 11 Mosar personnel led by Operations Commander, PBB Alex Clarence joined by a mountain guide and a Sabah Park personnel rushed to the scene.
“When the rescue team arrived, they found that a 23-year-old male construction worker had fallen from the roof of a building (30-40 feet) that was under construction.
“The victim suffered a bone injury. Initial treatment was provided by the Mosar team together with members of Malim Gunung and Sabah Parks by moving the victim from the location where the victim fell,” he said.
According to Ridwan, Mosar installed a cervical collar to the victim’s neck and plywood behind his back as rescuers suspected a back fracture.
“The victim was brought down to Timpohon Gate using a Robinson Stretcher and then sent to the Ranau Hospital for further treatment and the operation ended at 5.45pm,” he said.
He added that the case on Sunday was the fifth case this month and the 13th victim of illness or injuries on Mt Kinabalu so far this year.
In January two climbers, while in February, five suffered various kinds of injuries while climbing.
Ridwan reiterated his call on future climbers to do a self-health assessment before climbing Mount Kinabalu because it should be remembered that the endeavour of conquering the mountain is not an easy task.
He also advised climbers to be extra careful during the current unpredictable conditions because the ground surface and rocks are more slippery than during normal weather.
