British tourist hurt in fall at Penang National Park

British tourist hurt in fall at Penang National Park

GEORGE TOWN - A female foreign tourist suffered a fractured leg and head injuries after falling into a 7.6m ravine here yesterday.

Valeria Trinton, 64, from London, was believed to be on a stroll with her husband, Thomas David, 68, on a footpath at the Penang National Park in Teluk Bahang near here when the incident occurred around noon.

The location was about 3km from Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies at Muka Head.

Teluk Bahang Fire and Rescue Department operations chief Mohd Yusof Mat said a team was dispatched after receiving a distress call at 12.31pm. He added that the rescue team arrived at the scene in 15 minutes by boat from the Penang National Park pier.

"The victim was in a semi-conscious state and we took 20 minutes to remove one foot wedged between rocks."

Yusof said several passers-by assisted firemen in the rescue operation.

"The victim suffered internal bleeding but remained conscious."

Trinton was rushed to Penang Hospital for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.

The Penang National Park covers 1,213ha of highlands, mangrove and rocky coasts.

It has hiking tracks linking some popular tourist destinations, including Kerachut Beach, Teluk Tukun, Tanjung Aling, Muka Head, Monkey Beach and Mas Beach.

It is popular among scientists, researchers and nature lovers.

Previously known as Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve, it is home to 417 flora and 143 fauna species. It was declared the Penang National Park in 2003.

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