Sabahan trainer: Survivors, stay strong
A group of Sabahan trainers who led the Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS) group on the Via Ferrata trail on Mount Kinabalu are here in Singapore.
Speaking to the media this morning, guide Hilary Augustinus said he wanted to meet with the families of the victims to offer them his condolences.
"I also want to see if the survivors are okay, and tell them to be strong. Be even stronger than they were on the mountain," he said.
Despite being injured by falling rocks, Mr Augustinus tried to help as many students as he could to get to the safe area, a nearby helipad.
Two of his colleagues, Mr Valerian Joannes and Mr Ricky Masirin, died from the rockfall after the June 5 earthquake.
Calling them "two of my best friends", he said that had they been the ones who were injured, they would want to help as many students as possible too.
Mr Augustinus also spoke of how the TKPS group was one that Mountain Torq, the company that manages the Via Ferrata route, looked forward to hosting every year because of the sheer enthusiasm of the children.
Read the full report in our print edition on June 18.
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