Martin Young, 32, recollects the murderous attack he survived.

IT was our third day of trekking near Manikaran. We had bedded down for the evening in our small tent by around 8.30 pm [2230 hours IST]. My girlfriend Maria Angeles Girones and her son Cristobal were with me.

It started about two hours after that. I was woken up by a beating on the tent and I heard the others screaming. The blows were coming from all directions.

They were aiming at our heads and upper bodies. The more we screamed and pleaded for our lives, the more they kept beating.

I was then dragged out of the tent, my sleeping bag was taken off me and I was thrown down the slope. I tried desperately to catch on to the grass, but I still tumbled down.

Lying far down, I heard more screams. Then Maqueles [Maria's nickname] was also thrown down, followed by Cris. I saw him cartwheel down and his neck break. All three of us lay there.

I knew I would die of exposure if I didn't climb back to raise the alarm. So I dragged myself back to the trail. I was wearing only my underwear.

A porter found me the next morning on his way to buy milk. He alerted officials at the nearby hydroelectric project.

Now I am feeling ecstatic because I can stand up now.

I don't know what is there for me now. Maqueles was an angel sent to me by God. I was blessed with three perfect days with her and Cris. They were very close moments. I will cherish them forever.