TNGR evacuates injured Malaysian hiker from Mount Rinjani
A joint team from the Mount Rinjani National Park Authority (TNGR) swiftly moved to evacuate a Malaysian hiker reported injured during a climb on Mount Rinjani in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
Astekita Ardi, Head of the Administrative Sub-Department at TNGR in East Lombok, said on Monday that the agency immediately responded to the emergency report at 3:00 PM WITA regarding the incident involving victim Chye Connsynn (41).
“TNGR coordinated in parallel with the Edelweis Medical Health Centre (EMHC) evacuation team and Nusa Medica medical staff,” he said.
“The agency had received official notification for an air evacuation using a helicopter,” he said.
“Field officers at Pelawangan promptly verified the data and set the pickup coordinates,” he added.
“The victim held a premium insurance policy purchased during registration, so the air medical evacuation option was immediately chosen to minimise physical strain on the injured person,” he said.
“The evacuation was conducted via helicopter,” he said.
“We responded swiftly for the medical evacuation,” he added.
“Tracking confirmed the victim had a premium insurance policy purchased during registration, automatically qualifying for helicopter evacuation. However, extreme weather on Rinjani thwarted the rapid rescue attempt, despite the helicopter reaching the Pelawangan Sembalun coordinates.”
“For approximately 20 minutes, the helicopter circled in the air, attempting to find a gap through the white fog enveloping steep cliffs. The pilot made the critical decision to turn back towards Denpasar, Bali,” he said.
“Poor visibility due to fog, approaching sunset, and dwindling fuel levels forced the air team to halt operations.”
“After assessing the victim’s condition and reporting to the responsible doctors in Malaysia, medical staff advised the patient to stay overnight at Pelawangan Sembalun due to the high risks of a land evacuation.”
“To address the emergency and provide initial first aid on-site, a joint team from EMHC and Basarnas set out from Sembalun Resort at 6:00 PM WITA towards the victim’s tent at Pelawangan 2.”
“The air evacuation mission has been rescheduled for Tuesday morning (26 May 2026) at approximately 7:00 AM WITA, with the helicopter flying back from Bali. Meanwhile, Nusa Medica clinic staff are fully on standby at the base post to receive the patient,” he added.