KOTA KINABALU — A 46-year-old Croatian climber who was injured after falling on Mount Kinabalu was successfully rescued today, following a five-day search and rescue (SAR) operation involving multiple agencies.
The victim, identified as Mauro Persic, sustained injuries to his right leg and right ribs, as well as minor wounds to his hand.
Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) said the victim was brought safely to Timpohon Gate at 7.06 pm, where he received initial treatment from Health Ministry (MOH) personnel.
He was subsequently transported to Ranau Hospital by an MOH ambulance, accompanied by a Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) MPV vehicle, for further treatment.
“The SAR operation for the climber who fell on Mount Kinabalu was fully terminated at 8 pm today,” said the department’s operations commander, TPgB II Mohd Faizal Wahid.
The operation, which entered its fifth day today, resumed at 7.07 am, with rescuers carrying the victim through a challenging 2-3-kilometre route towards the platform.
At 10.16 am, Team 1 successfully brought the victim to the aluminium staircase route, where Team 2 and Team 3 were stationed, before the descent operation continued in stages.
At 1.06 pm, the SAR team carrying the victim was about 1.8 kilometres from the KM6.5 Platform when rain was reported at the operation site.
The victim and the SAR team subsequently reached the KM6.5 Platform safely at 3.21 pm.
From Panalaban, the victim was then brought down towards Timpohon Gate using a piggyback carry method with a body harness carrier (BHC).
The SAR operation involved personnel from JBPM’s Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team (STORM), Mount Kinabalu Search and Rescue (MOCSAR), Sabah Parks, PDRM, Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and other supporting personnel.
A total of 43 SAR personnel were involved, comprising 34 firefighters, two ParkSAR personnel, five mountain guides, one porter and one ranger.
The incident was reported at 5.10 pm on Sept 6, with the location recorded at Mount Kinabalu, Sabah.
