Scientist lost in jungle rescued after phoning UK

A British scientist who was missing in the Malaysian jungle for five days was rescued after making an emergency call to his wife in the UK, his family said today.

A British scientist who was missing in the Malaysian jungle for five days was rescued after making an emergency call to his wife in the UK, his family said today.

John Gillatt, 55, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, went trekking at Fraser's Hill near Pahang in east Malaysia last Friday.

But after walking for 10km, the microbiologist realised he was lost and used his mobile phone to call his wife Noelene at home in Bolton, who contacted the Smokehouse Inn where he was staying.

A major search party was launched, and after surviving for five days on just an apple, an orange, some biscuits and a bottle of water, Mr Gillatt was rescued yesterday.

He was dehydrated and exhausted and had bruises on his arms and legs.

Today, his family spoke of their joy after hearing he had survived.

Daughter Claire, 29, said: "Dad had gone out there on business and had taken the weekend off to go walking.

"He is an experienced walker but he got lost and phoned home. A search party went out looking for him and he was found yesterday. He was exhausted and dehydrated but he is okay."

She added: "We are all very tired. We haven't really slept for five days since we knew he was missing. We are just glad he is safe."