Missing hiker found in Tararua Forest Park
The 74-year-old man missing in Tararua Forest Park was found early this morning.
The man, from Wellington, was hiking between Dundas and Herepai huts yesterday when he got into difficulty.
He set off his locator beacon about 11am.
Weather conditions were poor, with 120kph winds and rain.
A Wairarapa Search and Rescue team located the man near West Peak about 1.30am today.
He was given warm clothing and shelter in a tent.
Acting Sergeant Tony Matheson says the man is no longer at risk and the SAR team are staying with him.
“A change in weather mid-morning should allow for a helicopter evacuation. The search team battled severe conditions in
darkness over difficult terrain to get to him,” Sergeant Matheson says.
ENDS