Mount Kinabalu porter recalls carrying heavier injured Croatian climber

KOTA KINABALU: For Mount Kinabalu porter Hamdani Masirin, carrying a much heavier injured Croatian climber downhill was simply a responsibility he had to fulfil.

The 27-year-old from Kampung Dumpiring Bawah, Kundasang, said he was happy to play his part in rescuing Croatian climber Mauro Persic, despite having to carry the much larger man for about 600m.

Hamdani, who is about 162cm tall and weighs 52kg, said he carried Persic for an estimated 10 to 15 minutes during the rescue operation.

"I felt happy because I had a responsibility. I was very enthusiastic at the time, so I did not feel that it was difficult," said the youngest member of the rescue team when contacted, adding that he has been working as a porter since 2019.

Hamdani estimated Persic, 46, weighed more than 70kg.

He said he carried Persic only once during the five-day operation as there were many firefighters and other rescuers involved.

While Hamdani was focused on getting Persic safely along the trail, the Croatian climber later made an unexpected observation about his rescuer.

Persic reportedly thought Hamdani looked about 15 years old.

He had said that as the teenager carried him downhill, he could feel every impact through the young porter's legs and knees.

"It broke my heart. Was it all worth it?

"I don't know. Probably not. Broken body. 40 people risking their lives to save one," he wrote in a Facebook post.

When asked about Persic speaking to him while he was carrying him, Hamdani said he could not hear much as he was concentrating on the trail.

"There was some conversation, but I could not really hear because I was focused on walking. I just said 'ya, ya'," he said.

Persic, who had been stranded and injured on Mount Kinabalu earlier this month, was eventually brought to safety following a multi-agency search and rescue operation involving firefighters, mountain guides, porters, rangers and other rescuers.

He sustained injuries to his right leg and right ribs, as well as minor wounds to his hands.

Sabah Tourism, Environment and Culture Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin had said that Sabah Parks lodged a police report and Persic might face action for climbing the mountain illegally.

On Malaysia Day, Persic posted an apology to the people of Sabah who felt disrespected by his actions.

"I never meant any disrespect to people, culture nor mountain. My sincere apologies for this.

"I did not want to trespass nor avoid paying entry fees, that was the last thing on my mind.

"All I wanted to do was explore the captivating beauty of Kinabalu the moment I saw it."