The official is waiting for a helicopter to evacuate him to Thimphu

Emergency: If weather clears, a member of an expedition to Memari Lake in Laya, who was admitted to Laya BHU since July 28 for mountain sickness will be air lifted to Thimphu hospital today.

The 26-year-old official works at the department of hydro-met services.

According to Laya gup, Kinley Dorji, around 2pm on July 27, the expedition who were about five-six hours walk away from Laya informed the gewog office about the official’s illness. He had not been feeling well since the morning.

“Five of us went to bring him to Laya,” gup Kinley said. “We also informed the army camp in Tashithang and sought their help.”

From the lake site, three people who met them on the way back helped the members, said gup Kinley. “Since he can’t move, had breathing problems and was vomiting, we took turns to carry him on our backs.”

Five army personnel were sent from Tashithang army camp to help the members. Gup Kinley said they reached Laya BHU around 12:55am on July 28. Given the official’s health condition, the gewog office requested the army head quarters in Thimphu for a helicopter to evacuate him.

“Following a request from the gewog and expedition team, we were told that the helicopter would reach within two hours, but later learnt that due to bad weather, it could not take off,” the gup said.

According to the health officials in Laya, the official has high pressure and has trouble breathing. His condition has improved after reaching the BHU but keeps fluctuating.

The official is the third mountain sickness case that Laya BHU attended since 2014.

By Dawa Gyelmo, Gasa