Granted Wish From Mulu

This is a true story told to us by a tour guide (James) about 10 years back when we went on a family outing to Mulu National Park near Miri, Sarawak. Before that, my parents had already read of the tragic story in a particular Chinese newspaper, but the story was told in more detail by James who was, at that time, the tour guide for that particular fated group of people. I had tried searching for related news on the InterNet but couldn’t find any stories.

A group of around 15 chinese friends and relatives had gone on an adventurous trip to Mulu National Park, Sarawak which is one of the largest tropical rainforest national parks on Borneo Island. The 1st day started with all of them in high spirits; after all it was supposed to be a relaxing nature trip for them. James had earlier warned them during a pre-briefing to keep their voices down to a minimum as it may offend jungle spirits; however being non superstitious, the group who were close friends tend to make fun of each other and tell dirty jokes, hence frequently howling out in laughter and made funny noises as they enjoy a wonderful time.

On the 2nd day, James brought the group for a jungle trekking expedition. The group was amazed at the beauty of the nature rainforest and gentle flowing streams close by as they track along a relaxing trail. Suddenly out of the blue, someone exclaim 'WOW! What a beautiful place this is, how I wish I can stay here forever.’ A few friends quickly supported the statement and some even said that they wish to stay in this peaceful place everlastingly etc. James knew this as they also jokingly asked him if he had any houses for them to stay. The enjoyable day turn into night and soon it was dinner and time for James to brief the group on the next day’s activities. During the briefing, James had mysteriously sensed that the group was not as attentive and as excited as they had been the previous day; dirty jokes and humorous stories were missing. James thought it might had been the long day that they had trekking in the jungle.

On the 3rd and final day of the trip, James brought the group for scenary picnic trip at a pond beneath a waterfall. On the way there, the group was eerily quiet; it was a big contrast to the bubbly and noisy group the previous day. James brush of a weird feeling thinking they must have been worn-out from the 2 previous days activities. Upon reaching the edge of the crystal clear pond beside the waterfall, the group unpacked and had some food to eat while enjoy the scene. All of a sudden, James heard a snapping sound from the trees above, he looked up and horrifically saw a large tree crashing down upon them. There was literally no time to react; James quickly pushed a lady aside into the pond beside him and jump into the pond himself. The tree had narrowly missed him.

The whole event happened too fast; James had feared the worst. The fallen tree, measuring around 2 meters in diameter and several meters height had killed 6 people and critically injured a few other members. The scene was chaotic and gory, there were blood splatter everywhere; James saw a head being completely crushed by the tree with its brain spluttering out like a squash tomato, a lifeless torso was held down by the heavy tree, blood was everywhere, people were screaming in horror. A helicopter was instantly called in to transport the injured and the mentally shocked to the nearest hospital for treatment. Newspaper reports had held back many details of the incident.

Till today, no one knows exactly what happens. There were no lightning that had caused the tree to fall, no tree cutting are allowed in the rainforest. Incidentally, James remembered the few dead members... they were those who had remarked / joked that they wanted to stay in the beautiful rainforest forever. Why did the few dead people behaved strangely the day before, did they know that their death is near and imminent? Did they sensed something coming for them? James believed that it was jungle spirits who had ‘granted their request' by keeping their soul forever in the jungle. James happened to bring us to the place of the incident during our visit 1 year after it happened. Standing at the edge of pond beneath the waterfall, it is difficult to imagined that such a sinister event had happened in a place so serene, beautiful and calm...