KOTA KINABALU: A holiday to Sabah turned tragedy for three friends after one of them, a 40-year-old woman, died from breathing difficulties while hiking at Pulau Bohey Dulang off Semporna waters on Thursday (Nov 4).

       Semporna district police chief Superintendent Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah, in a statement, said the police received a report at 2.12pm from the victim's friend, who went hiking with her.

       "The 31-year-old woman said earlier that she, the victim and another female friend went to the island around 10.13am to hike.

       "During the climb up the trail, the victim said she was having chest pains and difficulty breathing, which led to her falling unconscious.

       "With the help of Sabah Parks personnel, first aid was rendered and the victim was brought to Semporna Hospital, where doctor pronounced her death," Mohd Farhan said in the statement.

       The victim was originally from Kuala Lumpur and was a civil servant, although no name was provided.

       Her remains have been sent to Tawau Hospital for autopsy to determine cause of death, and the case has been classified as sudden death.