Missing tramper in Southern District, 6:25pm

Mr John Hall-Jones who had been missing in the Longwood Forest in Western Southland made is own way out to a nearby farm house and is safe and well.

Mr Hall-Jones, aged 81 years, left Invercargill at 8:30am on Saturday 27 June 2009 with the intention of going for a walk in the Longwood Forest. He failed to return to his home and family members notified Police at 7:30pm. Mr Hall-Jones's car was discovered by some hunters on Brownridge Road, west of Fairfax, at 1:00am on Sunday morning.

A search was initiated at first light on Sunday morning and involved approximately 25 people.

These searchers came from the Southland Tramping Club, Deer Stalkers Association, Police Search and Rescue Squad and volunteers from Invercargill, Tuatapere and Otautau. Six members of Mr Hall-Jones's Rotary club had also taken part in the search along with a number of friends and members of his family.

A helicopter form Tuatapere was used to assist in the search.

He arrived at the farm house situated on Omutu Road at about 2.00pm on Sunday 28/06/09. This property is located approximately 5 km south east from where Mr Hall-Jones's car was discovered.
Mr Hall-Jones spent the night in the bush, wrapped up in a survival blanket, after getting lost.