Miri: The Air Unit of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) conducted a medical evacuation (Medevac) deep in the interior today, airlifting an 18-year-old male patient from Long Itam, Baram, to Miri Hospital for urgent treatment. JBPM Sarawak Regional Air Base, Fire Rescue assistant supt Norhasdi Ismail, said the Miri Resident's Office requested the transfer after the patient developed a severe abdominal infection that left him in critical condition.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, an Mi-171 helicopter was deployed from Miri at 10 am, carrying nine crew members and three health officers from Miri Hospital. The aircraft arrived in Long Itam at 11.15 am, picked up the patient, Wilfrel Thomas, 18, and touched down at Miri Airport at 12.13 pm.

An ambulance team was on standby to rush him to Miri Hospital for treatment, Norhasdi said in a statement today. He added that the operation, flown at 1,000 feet, went smoothly with good weather and a suitable landing site at Long Itam.