45 YO Man Dies Of Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) On Mount Kinabalu – Wife Hospitalized
Both the hikers experienced AMS when they reached the Panabalan Base Camp but unfortunately, the husband passed away first.
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Recently on Tuesday (April 25), a 45-year-old man passed away at the Ranau Hospital after experiencing Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) while climbing Mount Kinabalu with his wife.
As reported by The Borneo Post, Alexander Kueh Check Boo was pronounced dead at 4.30 am at the Ranau Hospital. His wife, Ng Wee Pro, 35, and he decided to climb Mount Kinabalu but both suffered difficulties in breathing from altitude sickness.
Altitude Mountain Sickness also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a condition when someone travels to a high altitude, usually above 2,400 meters. AMS is caused by reduced air pressure and lower oxygen levels at those high altitudes. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and feeling sick.
Although they successfully reached the Panabalan Base Camp – the final pit stop before ascending to the Low’s Peak Summit (highest peak) of Mount Kinabalu – on Monday, Ng complained of having headaches and respiratory difficulties at about 9 pm.
The Mountain Search and Rescue (MOSAR) team gave her oxygen that night and decided to stretch her down to Timpohon Gate at 10 pm and then to the Ranau Hospital for further treatment.
However, around 2 am on Tuesday, two kilometres away from the Timpohon Gate, Kueh experienced difficulties in breathing and muscle cramps. He was similarly stretchered down to the Timpohon Gate as well.
Both victims were sent to the Ranau Hospital at 3.40 am by ambulance. Sadly, Kueh was then reported dead after he arrived at the hospital. His wife’s condition was reported to be stable after she recovered from AMS.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, extends her sympathies to the family and requested that the Sabah Parks assist the decedent’s family whenever necessary. She advised future climbers to be more prepared physically and mentally before climbing Mt Kinabalu.
Treacherous Mt Kinabalu
In a separate rescue case, on Monday (April 24), the MOSAR team rescued a female climber who suffered leg injuries at Panabalan (also known as Panar Laban). She was carried down to Timpohon Gate for further treatment.
According to the Daily Express, the 26-year-old female marks the third case of the month in April 2023 and the 18th victim to be rescued on Mt Kinabalu so far this year, said Head of the Ranau Fire & Rescue Station, PPgB Ridwan Mohd Taib.
Ridwan reiterated his advice for future climbers to do a self-health assessment before climbing Mt Kinabalu. He said that there must be mental and physical preparation and only bring along suitable and necessary items.
Always climb in groups, don’t walk alone and make sure to be attentive to what the guides advise us. This is important in order to avoid any untoward incidents future.
PPgB Ridwan Mohd Taib, Head of the Ranau Fire & Rescue Station
Although Mt Kinabalu is a popular place to climb with around 20,000 people attempting to reach Low’s Peak each year, it also has its deadly challenges.
Last year in August, a 51-year-old Sarawakian man also fell unconscious going up to the Panar Laban base. He was then declared dead when rescuers stretchered him down.
In 2016, a Singaporean avid hiker also fell to his death while training for a competitive climb there. He was believed to be training alone for a climbathon at the time of the incident.
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