Injured tourist rescued from forest ravine in Khao Laem

Injured tourist rescued from forest ravine in Khao Laem

Soldiers study a map of the terrain where the tourist was lying injured after a fall on Monday, at Vajiralongkorn dam in Thong Pha Phum district on Wednesday. When the weather in the area finally lifts they planned to use the helicopter to take the man to hospital. (Photo: Piyarach Chongcharoen)
Soldiers study a map of the terrain where the tourist was lying injured after a fall on Monday, at Vajiralongkorn dam in Thong Pha Phum district on Wednesday. When the weather in the area finally lifts they planned to use the helicopter to take the man to hospital. (Photo: Piyarach Chongcharoen)

KANCHANABURI: Rescuers took advantage of a break in the weather to lift an injured tourist from the bottom of a ravine in Khao Laem National Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Soldiers from Surasi army camp in Kanchanaburi's Muang district were carrying him on a stretcher through the forest to a helicopter waiting two kilometres away to airlift the man to Sangkhla Buri hospital.

The 46-year-old man, identified only as Niphon, spent two nights in the ravine after falling more than 12 metres down a hillside near Roi Wa waterfall on Monday.

Rescuers quickly found him, but bad weather had been frustrating all attempts to lift him out.  

A rescue team spokesman said in the morning they would have to "wait for the weather to open" as fog and rain still blocked visibility and put the operation at risk.

An accompanying medic said the tourist had a broken right leg and a swelling on his head.

At least 60 rescuers and soldiers weare involved in the operation. 

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