An 18 year old Dutch toeenager was found dead on Thursday afternoon after going missing on Dragon Crest Mountain, a popular viewpoint in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, in Krabi province.
Tim Bakker had been hiking with his parents, who came down the mountain on Wednesday afternoon, without their son, to get food and water. They planned to reunite with Bakker at the summit, but when they returned, they couldn’t locate him. The parents then contacted emergency services when their attempts to reach Bakker by phone failed.
Rescue workers discovered the young man’s body at around 2 pm on Thursday, after a search operation lasting more than 20 hours. They found him on a cliff area at the highest point of Dragon Crest Mountain, also known for its 360-degree views.
The challenging terrain made it difficult for rescuers to retrieve his body, requiring a 2 hour climb on foot.
Yuthapong Damsrisook, head of the Nopparat Thara Beach-Phi Phi Island National Park, said the exact cause of Bakker’s death is still under investigation. Initial reports suggest he may have fallen while exploring the cliff area.
During the search, one park officer, Nattaporn Sommas, was injured.
The hike to the Dragon Crest Mountain viewpoint covers approximately 3.7 kilometres and typically takes about 4 hours for a round trip.
