Missing Climber at Sveti Ilija – Peljesac

Dad of missing Aussie makes plea

The father of missing Adelaide man Andrew Modistach, who vanished six months ago while holidaying in Croatia, has made an emotional appeal for his son to get in touch.

Speaking on the popular Croatian television talk show, Latinica, John Modistach said: “My hope is to see him back home alive, whatever has happened in the meantime, I’d just like to see him alive.”
Mr Modistach, 25, went missing on September 8, 2005 when he went to climb the mountain of Sveti Ilija on the southern Adriatic peninsula of Peljesac while on holiday in Croatia with two friends.
>He left them on the island of Korcula and caught a ferry to the Peljesac peninsular to climb the mountain.
One friend, Scott Margitich, told the TV presenter: “I still have hope. I have no doubt he tried to climb there as he wanted.”
Mr Modistach was an experienced climber and the 961m peak was much lower than some of the Swiss mountains he had scaled.
Villagers reported seeing him begin the ascent but he disappeared soon afterwards. He did not sign a guest book at the peak.
More than 150 rescuers searched the area without finding any trace of Mr Modistach.
Search leader Stipe Bozic said: “I have to say that this is a difficult mountain to search because of the many caves, but we really did our best. We tried to enter every single cave.”
John Modistach told the talk show: “Croatian police and rescuers did their best. I went there too after hearing that my son was missing.However, there was no sign of him.”
Locals from Peljesac still occasionally search the area.

“Local police and the local community did their best and I have to praise them. However, there was no result yet,” Australian ambassador to Croatia Anna George said.

Read also: Young Australian climber missing on Sveti Ilija , September 2005