New Zealand

Man, 65, found after missing for two nights near Blenheim

20:38 pm on 18 May 2019

A 65-year-old man who was missing in the bush west of Blenheim for two nights was airlifted to hospital after searchers found him this morning.

Wakamarina Track. Photo: Supplied / Google

The man had been walking on the Wakamarina Track, in Mount Richmond Forest Park, and got separated from his group.

The man said he had been following a river down when he heard voices, which happened to be those of the rescue team.

A friend, Jann McPherson, said the man had hypothermia but was otherwise healthy.

"It was freezing cold. There was frost on the ground, apparently, and snow not far away. So we had to make a little bed of ferns and put the ferns down his front.

"And he didn't sleep. He was chattering all night, his teeth chattering. But he got through it."

Ms McPherson said her friend would be in hospital overnight but would make a full recovery.