Elated family greet missing hunter

A hunter found after three days lost in the bush has now been evacuated and met by elated family and friends.

Siow Hong Kuik, known as Desmond, went missing on Sunday afternoon (21 October). On Tuesday searchers found signs indicators of his direction and then a note in Kouanui Hut stating he was lost.

Yesterday a team of searchers were put in behind Desmond to continue to try to track his path and another team was put to try to head him off.

Shortly after 1.30pm yesterday (Wednesday, 24 October) Desmond was found cold and exhausted, but alive in a remote location approximately 12km from where he went missing, as the crow flies.

It is estimated he would have walked in excess of 36km over the three days and yesterday he decided his best hope was to stay put, a decision which allowed the search teams to catch him up.

After being checked over and fed and watered, the rescue team and Desmond walked for approximately two more hours to reach a location where a helicopter could land. A flight plan was then organised to fly Desmond and the search teams out to safety.

Desmond was taken to Whakatane Hospital for a precautionary medical assessment and today he will travel back to Auckland to his wife and children.

Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins, who coordinated the search, said: "We've had over 60 people involved over the last few days, including Whakatane LandSAR, and Amateur Radio Emergency Communication (AREC), and I have to sing their praises. I also have to acknowledge the fantastic support of the Whakarae Marae. The relationship we had with them was just awesome, so hospitable. A lot of people from the marae were intricately involved in the search, some tracking for 18 hours a day. It was their local knowledge and tracking skills that uncovered most of the clues leading to Desmond being found alive."

Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.