Singaporean climber dies after falling into ravine while scaling Mount Kinabalu

Rescuers bringing down the man's body from Sayat-Sayat on Sunday (Oct 2). PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

KOTA KINABALU - A Singaporean climber, identified in reports as Mr Woon Tai Kiang, died after falling 150m into a ravine while training at Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia media reported on Sunday (Oct 2).

A mountain search and rescue team found the victim's body in the ravine near Sayat-Sayat point at about 7.30am on Sunday, said The Star newspaper. Sayat-Sayat point is the last checkpoint before climbers make their way up to the summit.

Mr Woon had been training on Saturday (Oct 1) for the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon but was later reported as missing. The annual climbathon event will take place on Oct 16. It had been put on hold following the June 5 earthquake last year.

The Star said he is believed to have died after sustaining serious head injuries when he slipped off the trail and fell into the ravine.

When contacted by The Straits Times, Kinabalu Park manager Yassin Miki confirmed that the victim's body had been recovered and taken to a nearby hospital. "The authorities are waiting for confirmation from a doctor," he said.

He is believed to have been alone when the accident occurred.

Ranau police chief Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah told The Straits Times that the climber was declared dead by the hospital.

"He was found dead. It appears to be an accident and there is no suspicion of foul play for now. But we are waiting for the post-mortem to confirm this. He was found with severe head injuries."

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