Elderly Woman Lost While Foraging for Bamboo Shoots – Police and Firefighters Join Forces for Successful Rescue

(Miri, 8th) A 60-year-old local Chinese woman got lost yesterday morning (7/7) while foraging for bamboo shoots in the forested area around Puyut Road No. 7. Fortunately, after a joint operation by the police and fire department, she was found safe at 11:20 p.m. that night and was unharmed.

 

Miri District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Lee Bing Qiang, stated in a press release today that the authorities received a report at around 7:45 p.m. yesterday regarding the disappearance of an elderly woman named Cheng Lai Hoi (transliteration). According to her family, the woman left home alone at about 9:00 a.m. to forage for bamboo shoots in the forest behind Yong Sheng Supermarket, and subsequently could not be contacted, leading to suspicion that she was lost in the woods.

 

After receiving the report, police immediately joined forces with the fire department to launch a search operation.

The Miri Lutong Fire and Rescue Station received the call at 4:13 p.m. and quickly dispatched a fire engine and a four-wheel drive vehicle, sending out the "Charlie Team" for search and rescue.

 

According to the operations commander’s report, the rescue team began their first search at 4:30 p.m., followed by a second search at 6:35 p.m., but both efforts failed to locate the missing woman.

 

Lutong Fire and Rescue then requested assistance from the Malaysia Fire and Rescue Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team (STORM), which arrived at 10:46 p.m. and began their search at 11:00 p.m.

 

Soon after, the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team discovered the missing woman at 11:20 p.m., about 800 meters from the command post in the forest, and successfully brought her out of the woods at 11:29 p.m. On-site emergency medical personnel examined and treated her. After confirming that she was not in any physical danger, she was allowed to return home.

 

This operation involved multiple units, including the Miri Police District, Lutong Fire and Rescue team, Malaysia Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team, and other related medical units, mobilizing over 10 personnel and several rescue vehicles in total.

 

The police urge the public to engage in such activities in groups and to carry communication devices for safety. In case of emergency, please contact the police or the nearest police station immediately. The police also remind the public to avoid spreading unverified information to prevent unnecessary panic.