Police Update:
Missing hunter in Southland located “
Please attribute the following statement to Detective Alun Griffiths:
Police Detective Alun Griffiths said the hunter missing in Southland has been located safe and well around 9pm tonight.
Southern Lakes Helicopters spotted the man a short distance off the Dunsdale Stream and he was winched out after spending 24 hours in the bush.
He is cold and hungry but otherwise fine.
30 people were involved in the search.
Police, the hunter and his family would like to thank Invercargill, Gore and Catlin LandSAR volunteers, LandSAR search dogs and Amateur Radio Emergency Communications for their assistance in the search.
Police urge people spending time in the outdoors to be suitably equipped for their journey and to carry sufficient navigation and emergency gear.
Ground crews are searching for an overdue hunter in Dunsdale, in Southland.
The man entered the bush with three hunting companions around 2.30pm yesterday.
He became separated from the group around 5pm.
His companions returned to their vehicle around 8pm and the man was not there.
Police were notified in the early hours of today.
LandSAR, Police Search and Rescue, and Amateur Radio Emergency Communications volunteers are currently conducting a ground search.
Around 15 people are involved in the search at this stage.
“The weather has been mild, however there is concern for the man having been out overnight,” says Southland Area Commander, Inspector Joel Lamb.
“We’re appealing for anyone who may have seen the man, who is Maori, in his 40s, solidly built, and who was dressed in shorts, a T shirt, and hunting boots, to contact us.”
Any information can be given to Southland Police on (03) 211 0400.