A 23-year-old hiker who vanished in Australia's Kosciuszko National Park for nearly two weeks has been located. Hadi Nazari was found alive Wednesday afternoon after stumbling upon a group of hikers.
Nazari, reported missing on Boxing Day, contacted the hikers, informing them of his predicament and his need for water. He explained to rescuers that he had found a hut with supplies, including two muesli bars, and had accessed water from local creeks.
Police, who launched a search involving multiple agencies, were alerted by the hikers. Nazari was winched to safety and assessed by paramedics before being taken to a hospital for a full medical check-up. He was reported to be in good health.
"He called out to some hikers who were in the area, telling them he'd been lost in the bush and was thirsty," said Riverina police district commander Andrew Spliet. "He found a hut up in the mountains, and there were two muesli bars there that he's eaten, and he accessed water via several creeks in the area."
The search spanned 13 days, and earlier in the search period, searchers discovered potential items belonging to Nazari. Rubbish and hiking poles were found near the Kosciuszko River, followed by a campsite with a lighter, camera, and camera bag near the Geehi River.
"This is an incredible outcome," stated Riverina Police district inspector Josh Broadfoot. "After 13 long days, he has been located. We want to thank our emergency services partner agencies, volunteers, and members of the public for their assistance. We never gave up hope of finding him."
Nazari was last seen on the Hannels Spur Trail near Geehi. He had reportedly separated from his companions to take photos but was expected to meet them at a campsite. The missing hiker's discovery signals a positive end to the extensive search effort.
