Police in Battambang province, in collaboration with personnel from unit 711 of Brigade 70, today rescued a man who was trapped for four days in a mountain cave in Phnom Prek district’s Barangtlak commune.

Major General Ouch Sokhon, provincial police chief who joined the rescue efforts, said the man was pulled out at about 630pm and has been taken to the provincial referral hospital for treatment.

“We successfully rescued him,” Maj Gen Sokhon said. “He is alive after being taken out and can speak but he is weak because he had no water or food for four days.”

Maj Gen Sokhon said the man fell into the cave, which is about 30 meters deep, and got trapped.

He noted that authorities located him on Tuesday night, but could not take him out until the joint forces from  unit 711 intervened.

Prior to the rescue,  district police chief Lieutenant Sareth Viseth identified the man as Sum Bora, 27 and said he was found inside the Hongtek cave in Hongtek village on Tuesday night.

“The victim was injured and in a weak condition,” he said. “He had climbed the mountain to collect bat faeces, but lost his footing and fell inside the cave.”

• Tags: Battamabang, Phnom Prek, Rescue, Rescue workers