Lost hunter found in remote bush

A hunter lost in remote bush near Waiouru has been found safe, and surprisingly well.

A three-man hunting party was flown by helicopter on Friday to an area where the Rangitikei River meets the Otamateanui Stream. This is an extremely remote area about 45km north east of Waiouru.

They were due be flown out again tomorrow (Tuesday, 15 November).

However, late yesterday afternoon another helicopter operator dropping off a fishing party, was met by two of the hunting party who told him that the third man had not been seen since Saturday morning having gone off hunting on his own.

The intention of the missing 43-year-old man Cambridge man was to hunt alone and then return to the camp later in the day. He was an inexperienced hunter and had with him just a small day pack which included a few muesli bars.

Late yesterday evening a helicopter search was made of the area and since early this morning search and rescue teams have been searching for the man. Police staff from Whanganui, Waiouru, Taihape and Taumarunui were involved, along with volunteers from Marton, Whanganui and Taihape; approximately 40 people in total. DoC staff also assisted as did Hill Country Helicopters and the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter.

At approximately 2pm this afternoon, police officers operating as air observers in the Hill Country Helicopter spotted the missing man. The helicopter was able to land and pick him up. He had got lost and was about 5km downstream from the camp heading towards the coast. He didn't require any medical treatment.

Ruapehu Area Commander Inspector Steve Mastrovich said: "He is in remarkably good health; I'm surprised at how fit and healthy he seems. As well as being an inexperienced hunter he was not suitably equipped for being out all day, let alone overnight. He is extremely lucky that the weather was so good as it is taking a turn for the worse and he was never going to make it out without assistance."