A man missing in Paparoa National Park has been found alive.
He was discovered by search teams within the last hour.
The 28-year-old will be taken by helicopter to Grey Base Hospital, where he will be assessed for mild hypothermia.
He was reported missing on Saturday night after he did not return from a planned walk up Mt Bovis, after setting off from Punakaiki at 8am on Saturday morning.
Two helicopters and 15 ground searchers were involved in the search.
The teams found footprints and the man’s water bottle before finding him.
A tracker dog was used in the search.
He was found near Bovis Creek.
The man is from the United Kingdom. He has been on a working holiday in New Zealand and has been on the West Coast for three weeks.
His family are still travelling to New Zealand to be with him and are due to arrive on the West Coast tomorrow.
West Coast area commander, Inspector Mel Aitken, says:
“I would like to thank searchers and the helicopter crews for their commitment over the past two days. Thanks to their expertise, I’m pleased there has been a successful outcome to the search.”
ENDS
Note to media: Police will not be facilitating any interviews with the man.
Police Media Centre