Blackberry hunt leads to search and rescue operation

A 37 year old Tauranga man sparked a full-scale search and rescue in Tauranga on Saturday evening, when he entered bush looking for Pikopiko. An associate of the missing male contacted police at 9pm on Saturday when he failed to locate his friend after searching for him for four hours.

Western Bay of Plenty Police Search and Rescue Coordinator, Sergeant Craig Madden says the pair had stopped at a reserve on Pye Pa Road, near Maungatoi Rd, to pick blackberries on Saturday afternoon.

"The missing man had ventured over to the far side of the reserve when, unbeknown to the associate, he entered the bush looking for Pikopiko. When he went to return he became disorientated and soon realised he was lost."

Sergeant Madden says the man came across several logging tracks but was unable to navigate his way back to the road.

"He then came across the main logging road in the Mamaku Forest which he continued to follow throughout the night until he came out on SH5 west of Ngongataha. He was finally picked up by a motorist who dropped him off near Ngongataha.

"A second ride got him to the Tauranga Direct Road turnoff, with a third driver who dropped him off at his home in Judea at 11.30am Sunday morning."

Tauranga Search and Rescue volunteers were still searching for him when informed by the man's partner at 1pm that he had returned home.

Sergeant Madden says the man would have walked about 40 to 50 km to get back home.

When asked why he did not contact police or family as soon was he reached the main road, he said he didn't think police would start looking for him so soon.

Sergeant Madden says police need to be informed as soon as parties realise someone is missing.

"The sooner we can establish a last known point we can contain the size of the search area. The longer someone is missing the bigger the search area becomes."

Sergeant Madden says the man had no bush experience, but due to warm weather and the fact he had food and water with him, this contributed to a successful result

"If people become lost in the bush, the best thing to do is to remain where you are and make yourself as comfortable as possible, this increases the chances of being found quickly.

"Anyone entering the bush should take basic navigational equipment like a compass, and items such as mountain radios and personal locater beacons can be rented for those going on larger excursions. These greatly increase the chances of survival should things go wrong.

"Although this incident would not have warranted this type of equipment a basic compass would have prevent the male being disorientated in the first place."

-ends-

Note to media: the missing male involved has indicated that he does not wish to be contacted by media.