KEY POINTS:
Gisborne police are amazed that a man is still alive after spending more than a week wandering around a dense East Coast forest in his underwear.
Terry Penfold, 52, was malnourished, disorientated with no memory of his ordeal and was also suffering deep cuts to his head, legs and feet, Detective Sergeant Rodger Gray said.
"It would seen that he's been walking around for seven or eight days, and when he's turned up he's just wearing his undies and a polyprop vest and no footwear.
"So he's pretty lucky."
Mr Penfold disappeared from his home on April 4 and was last spotted by forestry workers the next day in Paroa Forest, inland from Tolaga Bay.
After a few days police became concerned for Mr Penfold and publicised his disappearance in the local press.
Mr Gray said the forestry crew called police yesterday with a description of Mr Penfold's car near where they had been working last Thursday.
Search and Rescue crews discovered the car today along with Mr Penfold's clothing some distance from the car.
"It's almost a coincidence he's walked out of his own accord, just before dark, to a farmhouse on Touwhareparae Road, which, as the crow flies is only about three kilometres, but is pretty rugged countryside."
Mr Gray said the search team was "pretty surprised" he walked out of the bush alive, as they had geared themselves up to find a body.
He said one of Mr Penfold's saving graces was the evenings had not been wet, but if he was in the bush for any longer, the situation could have been much bleaker.
Mr Penfold was taken to Tologa Bay medical centre but due to his injuries was being taken to Gisborne hospital.
- NZPA
