The father of a Singaporean student who survived the earthquake at Mount Kinabalu has called mountain guide Mohd Rizuan Kauhinin to thank him for rescuing his son, expressing the hope that they would be able to meet soon.
"I received the call a few days ago from the boy's father," said Rizuan.
A photo of him carrying the injured boy on his back had become the iconic symbol of the mountain guides' heroism on social media following the June 5 earthquake.
During the call, Rizuan was told that the boy's name was Wafeeq and that he was undergoing treatment for his injuries.
The father also told Rizuan the family would like to meet him as soon as Wafeeq got better.
"I replied that I would like that very much," said Rizuan, adding that the call was brief. "The connection was quite bad."
Rizuan not only carried Wafeeq on his back down Mount Kinabalu, but also took care of the boy even after they reached search and rescue personnel at the base of the mountain. Rizuan was seen comforting Wafeeq while medical personnel transferred the boy into an ambulance.