Gunung Suku 1,797m / 5,896 feet
A trekking misadventure on 09.02.2014
A trekking misadventure on 09.02.2014
2.37pm - the last photo taken by Lee Kam Boon of Bernard Lee descending Gunung Suku at halfway point. Medical Officer explained that Bernard’s sudden cardiac arrest was not the same as a heart attack. “A heart attack is when blood supply to your heart is blocked. Many have heart attacks and survive. “Sudden cardiac arrest is a malfunction in your heart and it stops beating. You lose consciousness without warning and the survival rate in Malaysia from that hovers at only 1%,” he said.
09.02.2014 - As I was the organiser of this outing to Gunung Suku, it is with deep sorrow that I have to inform that Bernard Lee Kar Giap (aged 61), a very special family friend who had always led and travelled together with me since 2006 on many back-packing adventures to China and South East Asia had passed away today at about 3.35pm whilst trekking at Gunung Suku, Cameron Highlands, about 31km from Simpang Pulai.
My group of 27 pax had commenced trekking from the car park at 9.30 a.m. and arrived at the summit at about 12.30 p.m. to take our lunch. At the summit, we met another 11-member Malay trekking group from Seri Manjung. After an hour, at 1.40 pm we were all on the trail again back- trekking downhill passing through the halfway point at about 2.35 p.m. We had a short rest of about 10 minutes at the halfway point next to a stream before continuing the back-trek.
It was after a further 50 minutes of trekking downhill that the freak accident happened at a height of 3,550 ft. above sea level and about only 600 metres away from the tar-road. Mr. Lee Kam Boon, Dr. Ian Goh and I were about 2 minutes behind Bernard Lee when he collapsed and rolled down the trail for a distance of about 30 ft. Upon hearing people shouting that someone had fainted, we quickly rushed forward. Lee Kam Boon who was in front of me recognized the familiar greenish T-Shirt that Bernard was wearing and started shouting to me, "It's Bernard! It's Bernard!". To my shock and disbelief, it was indeed Bernard lying on the ground.
My nephew, Dr. Ian Goh Hong Siang, Lee Kam Boon and I immediately performed CPR on Bernard for more than 10 minutes. We refused to give up. However, En Ibrohim from the Malay trekking group who came to assist us said that after 4 minutes, it was of no use performing CPR anymore. Yet, we still continued for a further 5 minutes - all the while hoping and praying inside for a miracle to happen.
After 15 minutes of performing CPR, we still failed to revive Bernard. About 20 minutes later Dr. Ian Goh Hong Siang then pronounced Bernard Lee dead. During the 20 minutes in time, I was crying deep inside me, devastated, heart-broken with extreme emotional pain to see my best friend passing away right in front of my very eyes whilst both my hands were still on his chest. We all felt extremely sad, disappointed and physically exhausted.
By this time, the Malay trekking group had already managed to contact the Bomba, the Ambulance and Police Department for us. Mr. Lee Kam Boon thanked them on our behalf for their kind and sincere assistance.
Our trekkers then started to prepare a stretcher to bring Bernard's body down the hill. We were very fortunate then to meet En. Ibrohim bin A. Hamid, a Bomba personnel from the Manjung District who was with the 11-member group. He said that it would be very difficult to carry Bernard's body down the narrow and steep hill slope using the stretcher. He then kindly volunteered to carry Bernard's body down the hill on his back. I followed closely right behind En. Ibrohim, holding on to Bernard's legs and arm to help to lessen the weight. En. Ibrohim also asked for a person to be in front of him to be an "anchor". It was extremely difficult to carry a person down the hill. Thus, he had to take a rest twice on the way down for about 250 metres with another 350 metres to go. By this time, two ambulance personnel had arrived to confirm the demise of Bernard Lee. About 15 minutes later, the Rescue Team from Bomba Simpang Pulai arrived to take the body down to the awaiting ambulance. Lee Kam Boon and I then personally thanked En. Ibrohim for his utmost kindness and compassion in carrying Bernard's body down the hill.
After Bernard's body was taken away by the Police at about 6 p.m., Silvarajo and I made an official Police Report at the Simpang Pulai Police Station at 6.58 p.m.
It is very hard to imagine that Bernard had carried out his last trek with me on that ill-fated day. I was unable to sleep that whole night reflecting on his sudden demise as we still have so many back-packing trips planned for the near future. In fact during this trek, he told me that on 18th February, he will be back-packing alone to Thailand for more than a month. After that, he will be going to China for a month to recky the Silk Route. He had already purchased his air-tickets to those two countries. Furthermore, in September 2015, he was supposed to lead my group on the Silk Route and then return to Malaysia via Thailand - a journey which would take us at least 60 days and within a budget of about RM8,000-00 each.
10.02.2014 - This morning at about 10 a.m., Lee Kam Boon, Silvarajo and his sister Elizabeth, my wife Catherine and myself were all at the Ipoh GH Mortuary. We waited till 1 p.m. for Bernard's sister and nieces to arrive from Penang to claim the body.
The Ipoh GH postmortem confirmed that Bernard's death was due to a sudden cardiac arrest, (not the same as heart attack) and not due to his fall because they found some blockages. In the afternoon, as required by the Police Inspector, all of us went to the Simpang Pulai Police Station again to give our reports as witnesses.
Wake held at St. Ignatius Church, Jalan SS25/23 PJ on 10th and 11th. February 2014.
It is very hard to imagine that Bernard had carried out his last trek with me on that ill-fated day. I was unable to sleep that whole night reflecting on his sudden demise as we still have so many back-packing trips planned for the near future. In fact during this trek, he told me that on 18th February, he will be back-packing alone to Thailand for more than a month. After that, he will be going to China for a month to recky the Silk Route. He had already purchased his air-tickets to those two countries. Furthermore, in September 2015, he was supposed to lead my group on the Silk Route and then return to Malaysia via Thailand - a journey which would take us at least 60 days and within a budget of about RM8,000-00 each.
10.02.2014 - This morning at about 10 a.m., Lee Kam Boon, Silvarajo and his sister Elizabeth, my wife Catherine and myself were all at the Ipoh GH Mortuary. We waited till 1 p.m. for Bernard's sister and nieces to arrive from Penang to claim the body.
The Ipoh GH postmortem confirmed that Bernard's death was due to a sudden cardiac arrest, (not the same as heart attack) and not due to his fall because they found some blockages. In the afternoon, as required by the Police Inspector, all of us went to the Simpang Pulai Police Station again to give our reports as witnesses.
Wake held at St. Ignatius Church, Jalan SS25/23 PJ on 10th and 11th. February 2014.
2014.02.12 - Bernard Lee Kar Giap Funeral Mass
Bernard Lee Kar Giap
may your soul rest in peace...
14.10.1953 - 09.02.2014
9.30am - A group photo taken at the Gunung Suku car-park open space (GPS:N04.33346 E101.19353)
Trekkers at Gunung Suku parking lot preparing for the 6 hour 5km return trekking adventure.
Ching Neng Bin at the start of the Gunung Suku trail conducting a body count and following behind the group.
An almost vertical climb of Gunung Suku.
10am - Leong Kwong Seng and daughter Leong Li Shan climbing Gunung Suku.
Bernard Lee in front of Leong Kwong Seng climbing Gunung Suku.
10.30am - Silvarajo and Ching Neng Bin taking a rest after an hour of trekking Gunung Suku.
The gigantic aerial root at the Gunung Suku trail.
The gigantic Gunung Suku mushroom on a dead trunk at the Gunung Suku trail.
The gigantic Gunung Suku mushroom on a dead trunk of Gunung Suku trail.
11.00am - Silvarajo, Lee Kam Boon and Dr. Ian Goh arrived at the Gunung Suku false peak.
The view of the main road to Cameron Highlands from the Gunung Suku trail.
11.19am - All trekkers arrived at the half-way point by a small stream on the Gunung Suku trail.
All trekkers taking a rest at the half-way point by a small stream on the Gunung Suku trail.
Silverajo distributing some nuts bought in Nepal to all at the half-way point on Gunung Suku trail.
11.32am - The group continued trekking up the Gunung Suku trail.
L-R: Bernard Lee, Nga Seong Tong and Leong Kwong Seng on the Gunung Suku trail.
Trekkers on Gunung Suku trail.
11.50am - Trekkers taking a rest for photo shoot on Gunung Suku trail.
11.50am - Trekkers taking a rest for photo shoot on Gunung Suku trail.
Lee Kam Boon (center) said that we are almost there!
11.55am - Trekkers getting into the mossy forest of the Gunung Suku trail.
The beautiful trail into the Gunung Suku mossy forest.
At the T-junction on Gunung Suku trail, turn left to the summit and turn right to the campsite.
The beautiful trail into the Gunung Suku mossy forest.
Dr. Ian Goh Hong Siang and Ching Neng Bin standing on the Gunung Suku soft mossy ground.
The beautiful trail into the Gunung Suku mossy forest.
The beautiful trail into the Gunung Suku mossy forest.
12.30am - Everybody duly arrived at the summit of Gunung Suku.
There is also a trail to Gunung Irau from the Gunung Suku summit.
Silvarajo and Ching Neng Bin at the Gunung Suku summit. (GPS: N04.32558 E101.20029)
Dr. Ian Goh Hong Siang and Ching Neng Bin at the Gunung Suku summit.
Ching Neng Bin took down this Gunung Suku summit signboard for photo shoot.
For lunch, Ching Neng Bin was sharing his bread with Bernard Lee who was standing at the far side.
The happy trekkers taking a good rest after lunch at the Gunung Suku summit.
We waited for Jeffrey CK Ong to boil water to make some coffee at the Gunung Suku summit.
Jeffrey CK Ong had to boil more water for everybody to make coffee at the Gunung Suku summit.
Bernard Lee Kar Giap
may your soul rest in peace...
14.10.1953 - 09.02.2014
9.30am - A group photo taken at the Gunung Suku car-park open space (GPS:N04.33346 E101.19353)
Trekkers at Gunung Suku parking lot preparing for the 6 hour 5km return trekking adventure.
Ching Neng Bin at the start of the Gunung Suku trail conducting a body count and following behind the group.
An almost vertical climb of Gunung Suku.
10am - Leong Kwong Seng and daughter Leong Li Shan climbing Gunung Suku.
Bernard Lee in front of Leong Kwong Seng climbing Gunung Suku.
10.30am - Silvarajo and Ching Neng Bin taking a rest after an hour of trekking Gunung Suku.
The gigantic aerial root at the Gunung Suku trail.
The gigantic Gunung Suku mushroom on a dead trunk at the Gunung Suku trail.
The gigantic Gunung Suku mushroom on a dead trunk of Gunung Suku trail.
11.00am - Silvarajo, Lee Kam Boon and Dr. Ian Goh arrived at the Gunung Suku false peak.
The view of the main road to Cameron Highlands from the Gunung Suku trail.
11.19am - All trekkers arrived at the half-way point by a small stream on the Gunung Suku trail.
All trekkers taking a rest at the half-way point by a small stream on the Gunung Suku trail.
Silverajo distributing some nuts bought in Nepal to all at the half-way point on Gunung Suku trail.
11.32am - The group continued trekking up the Gunung Suku trail.
L-R: Bernard Lee, Nga Seong Tong and Leong Kwong Seng on the Gunung Suku trail.
Trekkers on Gunung Suku trail.
11.50am - Trekkers taking a rest for photo shoot on Gunung Suku trail.
11.50am - Trekkers taking a rest for photo shoot on Gunung Suku trail.
Lee Kam Boon (center) said that we are almost there!
11.55am - Trekkers getting into the mossy forest of the Gunung Suku trail.
The beautiful trail into the Gunung Suku mossy forest.
At the T-junction on Gunung Suku trail, turn left to the summit and turn right to the campsite.
The beautiful trail into the Gunung Suku mossy forest.
Dr. Ian Goh Hong Siang and Ching Neng Bin standing on the Gunung Suku soft mossy ground.
The beautiful trail into the Gunung Suku mossy forest.
The beautiful trail into the Gunung Suku mossy forest.
12.30am - Everybody duly arrived at the summit of Gunung Suku.
There is also a trail to Gunung Irau from the Gunung Suku summit.
Silvarajo and Ching Neng Bin at the Gunung Suku summit. (GPS: N04.32558 E101.20029)
Dr. Ian Goh Hong Siang and Ching Neng Bin at the Gunung Suku summit.
Ching Neng Bin took down this Gunung Suku summit signboard for photo shoot.
For lunch, Ching Neng Bin was sharing his bread with Bernard Lee who was standing at the far side.
The happy trekkers taking a good rest after lunch at the Gunung Suku summit.
We waited for Jeffrey CK Ong to boil water to make some coffee at the Gunung Suku summit.
Jeffrey CK Ong had to boil more water for everybody to make coffee at the Gunung Suku summit.
Another trekker boiling more water for making coffee at the Gunung Suku summit.
Beautiful mountain view from the Gunung Suku summit.
A group photo - Bernard Lee and Silvarajo standing behind at the Gunung Suku summit.
A group photo at the Gunung Suku summit.
The 11 Malay trekkers from Seri Manjung - En Ibrohim the fireman squatting on the left at the Gunung Suku summit.
The 11 Malay trekkers from Seri Manjung at the Gunung Suku summit.
Bernard Lee (2nd from left) looks so cheerful and happy at the Gunung Suku summit.
L-R: Bernard Lee, Lee Kam Boon and Ching Neng Bin at the Gunung Suku summit. Ching Neng Bin remembered that this photo taken just before trekking downhill.
1.30pm - Bernard Lee (left) checking his belt and getting ready to trek downhill at the Gunung Suku summit.
Yeoh Sam Heng with this cow-horn driftwood on the Gunung Suku trail.
Lee Kam Boon with this cow-horn driftwood on the Gunung Suku trail.
Ching Neng Bin was playing Tarzan swing on the way down the Gunung Suku trail.
Ching Neng Bin was having fun playing Tarzan swing on the way down the Gunung Suku trail.
Small plants on the Gunung Suku trail.
Bernard Lee descending Gunung Suku at halfway point.
2.37pm - the last photo taken by Lee Kam Boon of Bernard Lee descending Gunung Suku.
3.39pm - Everyone helped to do CPR on Bernard Lee after he collapsed on the Gunung Suku trail (GPS: N04.33120 E101.19561).
Fireman En Ibrohim piggy-back Bernard's body and Ching Neng Bin holding on to his leg behind.
Nga Seong Tong (right) helped to carry the other arm of Bernard Lee in descending Gunung Suku.
Nga Seong Tong (right) helped to carry the other arm of Bernard Lee in descending Gunung Suku.
Ambulance personnel arrived to confirm the demise of Bernard Lee on the Gunung Suku trail.
Ambulance personnel arrived to confirm the demise of Bernard Lee on the Gunung Suku trail.
The ambulance and bomba were waiting at the foot-hill of Gunung Suku.
The ambulance and bomba were waiting at the foot-hill of Gunung Suku.
5.33pm - Bernard's body was finally brought down at the foot-hill of Gunung Suku.
5.33pm - Bernard's body was finally brought down at the foot-hill of Gunung Suku.
09.02.2014 - The photos below of beautiful wild flowers and fruits taken by trekkers on the track of Gunung Suku are in remembrance of the late Bernard Lee Kar Giap and in the sincere tender of our sympathies to his relatives - from backpackers:-
Ching Neng Bin, Chan Meng Fye, Chew Leng Soon, Choo Chiew Chin, Christine Leong, Cindy Chong, Devan Dinasan, Gan Choi Geok, Ivy Tan, Lee Kam Boon, Lily Yap, Lim Cheng Tee, Lim Kee Moon, See Beow Aun, Silvarajo, Tan Lai Yee, Tay Seok Hooi and Wong Lai Van.
14.02.2014 - Balai Bomba Seri Manjung, Fire and Rescue Station.
14.02.2014 - Tay Seok Khim and Tay Seok Hooi presented gift vouchers to Ibrohim bin Abdul Hamid and his trekking friends at Balai Bomba Seri Manjung as a token of appreciation for their sincere help.
24.03.2014 - Our prayers at Gunung Suku
This morning at 9.30am my wife Catherine and I trekked up Gunung Suku to the very spot where the late Bernard Lee collapsed. To mark the spot we did a tripod stand by the track using cut trees. I then nailed a small cross on the tree marker. Finally, we prayed for the soul of the late Bernard Lee before trekking back.
Along the track just before we arrived to the spot, we saw these strange beautiful red flowers on tree trunk. Maybe this flowers is to welcome us to Gunung Suku to pray for Bernard Lee (RIP). This was the first tree.
This is the first time we have seen such flowers on the main tree trunk instead of branches - can anybody give me the name of this tree?
A close-up view of the flowers at the base of the tree.
This is the second tree on the trail, very near to the place where Bernard collapsed.
Catherine sat on the very spot where the late Bernard Lee collapsed.
To mark the spot, we did a tripod stand by the track using cut trees and then nailed a small cross on the tree marker.
I will be taking friends of Bernard Lee to Gunung Suku on 12th April, 9am at the car park. All friends are cordially invited to this track up to the summit of Gunung Suku and also to pray for the soul of the late Bernard Lee RIP.
if you have a GPS device, these are the readings:
at the carpark (GPS:N04.33346 E101.19353)
at the summit (GPS: N04.32558 E101.20029)
at Bernard's spot (GPS: N04.33120 E101.19561)
