Carried by teenager porter, rescued Croatian climber says Kinabalu ordeal broke his heart

Kota Kinabalu, September 14 — Croatian mountaineer Mauro Persic, 46, has shared his reflections on the harrowing eight-day ordeal he faced on Mount Kinabalu, where he was found injured and alone. Despite expressing regret over the risks he took, Persic acknowledged the ordeal strengthened his faith in human compassion. The rescue operation, involving multiple agencies, was a humbling experience for him, especially when rescuers and porters had to carry him down due to his weakened condition and injuries.

One particularly poignant moment was when a young porter, possibly only 15 years old, carried Persic down the mountain. The young porter's frail legs and knees made Persic feel a deep sense of regret for contributing to the burden. He questioned whether it was all worth it, acknowledging that his body was broken after the ordeal.

However, Persic also witnessed the very best of humanity during this time, citing the generosity, kindness, and care shown by rescuers as they brought him food, chocolate, snacks, and kept him company around campfires while they worked to safely lower him down.