SERIAN: A 72-year-old man, who went missing while checking his native customary rights (NCR) land in a forested area near Kampung Prankang Merung, Bugu, was found safe after a swift search-and-rescue (SAR) operation today.
The elderly victim, identified as Sankut Ridem, was discovered at 11.52 am along Sungai Kedup with minor injuries to his leg after becoming lost in the jungle the previous day.
The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the man had gone into the area on Tuesday morning (March 31) together with two friends to inspect boundary lines of his NCR land in the area.
However, he became separated from the group and was unable to find his way out.
While his two companions managed to exit the forest at about 9 pm the same day, the victim remained missing, prompting villagers to mount an initial search before authorities were alerted.
The SAR operation was activated at 10.59 am today.
Before the rescue team reached the victim, family members had managed to contact him by phone, with Sankut reportedly walking along Sungai Kedup in an attempt to reach the main road.
At 11.52 am, the SAR team, together with villagers, successfully located him.
He was later brought out of the area for initial medical assessment before being transported to hospital by a Ministry of Health (MOH) ambulance.
The operation concluded at 12.45 pm after authorities confirmed that the victim was safe.
