A 50-year-old Mt Maunganui man was airlifted out of the bush near Gisborne early this morning after being reported missing earlier in the day by his hunting companions.
The man was found late last night taking shelter in a farm shed on a property bordering the Motu hunting block, inland from Gisborne. He had a head injury and is currently in Rotorua Hospital in a comfortable condition.
Sergeant Greg Lexmond of Gisborne Police said the man and two friends went into the bush on Saturday morning. They agreed to split up and meet back at a hut that evening. But his hunting companions alerted police early on Sunday morning when he failed to return to the hut.
Police and Search and Rescue teams from Gisborne began a search of the area yesterday, including using the East Cast rescue helicopter. Fears were held for the man's safety as he was a diabetic. As the day progressed Search and Rescue teams from Hawke's Bay, Wairoa and Whakatane were put on standby to relieve the Gisborne search teams.
He was found around 11.30pm last night in a shed on a farm property.
Mr Lexmond said it appeared the man had fallen on Saturday morning and was unconscious for some time. He woke up later in the afternoon disorientated and began walking around the area and at one stage fell into the Motu River.
"He managed to find shelter in a shed on the farm and lit a fire to try to keep warm. Smoke from the shed alerted the farmer and he found the man around 11.30pm last night," he said.
The farmer was aware a search was underway in the area for the man. Search teams were tracking the man to that location as he was found by the farmer.
"There were some difficulties with finding a close landing zone near to where the injured man was, which meant he couldn't be airlifted out until a few hours later," Mr Lexmond said.
The man remains in Rotorua Hospital in a comfortable condition.
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