Lost Hamilton hunter knew he was 'in for a bit of trouble'

Kaimai Ranges. Photo / Alan Gibson

A rescued Hamilton hunter who spent a freezing Saturday night lost in the Kaimai Ranges knew he was "in for a bit of trouble" as darkness fell.

Hercules Swart, a Waikato representative gymnast, was hunting near Thompson's Track when he became separated from his companion Andrew Tod on Saturday afternoon.

After failing to make it back to the hut, the 21-year-old spent a night in the cold, with his cellphone his only means of communication.

A search and rescue operation was launched yesterday morning by police and members of the Bay of Plenty Four Wheel Drive Club after his mate raised the alarm.

Searchers were able to close in on Mr Swart's location by talking to him on his cellphone, and he was eventually found near the hut at 1.30pm.

Speaking to the Herald last night, Mr Swart said he would have fared worse if he did not have thermal gear.

He and Mr Tod tried to find each other but when nightfall came, he tried to find shelter to keep warm.

"I got pretty cold because it was wet and damp. I knew if it got dark then we'd be in for a bit of trouble. I ended up getting around a little shrub against a bank, but the wind was the biggest thing."

Despite the predicament, he remained positive.

"We were lucky we had cellphone coverage," he said.

When found, a tired, hungry, wet and cold Mr Swart was given food and water and was able to walk out of the bush.

His father, Morkel Swart, was last night relieved his son was safe and warm.

"He's a good gymnast, so he's fit, and although he's small, he's very strong."

Morkel Swart had kept up to date on the search through the police as he was anxious not to drain his son's cellphone battery.

"I'm just really glad they found him before it got dark again."

In another rescue at the weekend, a snowboarder was lifted from Mt Ruapehu on Saturday night after becoming separated from two friends at Turoa skifield.

Police and others on the ground were able to communicate with the man by cellphone and could hear him calling out, but could not reach him.

Palmerston North rescue helicopter pilot Fergus MacLachlan said the man was eventually located by the chopper crew after he used two cigarette lighters to help their night-vision equipment spot him.