A 66-year-old man missing for more than two weeks in Kahurangi National Park has been found alive, sheltering in a backcountry hut.
Graham Garnett, who had been tramping in the Baton and Ellis River area, failed to return as expected on 30 December, prompting a large-scale search operation. The effort involved Land Search and Rescue New Zealand (LandSAR) teams, specialist police units, the New Zealand Defence Force, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, and numerous volunteers and supporters.
The search was formally stood down on Thursday 15 January after extensive efforts failed to locate Mr Garnett, although teams remained ready to respond if new information emerged.
That breakthrough came today at about 2.30pm, when contractors working in the area discovered Mr Garnett alive in Venus Hut.
Police Search and Rescue Sergeant Jonny Evans described the outcome as an exceptional result, saying everyone involved was relieved and delighted that Mr Garnett had been found alive after such an ordeal.
Mr Garnett has been transported to Nelson Hospital, where he has been reunited with his family. His family has requested privacy at this time.
Some good news for a change!
I don’t think he’s happy of being found.
Send him a bill?
Alone lost and exposed to the elements staying put in a hut is one of the smartest survival decisions a person can make
Just hope there was enough khazi paper after getting himself in it
A hut is shelter and shelter is survival
Staying in one place makes you findable
Huts often have supplies
Stillness prevents panic-driven mistakes
NZ huts are designed for exactly this scenario
So yes this man did exactly what survival experts recommend
His decision to stay in the hut, rather than trying to walk out blindly, is almost certainly why he’s alive today
A learning curve for everybody