Searchers find missing pig hunters

Search and rescue training. File photo / Northern Advocate

Two pig hunters, missing in Coromandel bush since Tuesday, were found safe, but cold and wet, late last night by a police search team.

Sergeant Phil Bell, of Waikato search and rescue squad, said the two Thames men had been reported missing after failing to return from a hunting trip in the Kauaeranga Valley.

"The pair, aged 31 and 27, had gone into the bush with five dogs hunting pigs about 9am Tuesday and were due out around 4pm," he said.

"When they didn't appear the alarm was raised and search teams converged on the area yesterday morning."

Mr Bell said the men's vehicle was found quickly and from there search teams spent the day searching for them with fresh teams coming in last night to conduct a light and audio search while other groups camped at different spots by streams in the hope the pair would come across them.

A search team heading up the Waiwawa River found the men about 11.30pm cold, wet and with minor injuries.

Mr Bell said the pair was also showing the early stages of hypothermia.

"They'd got lost chasing a pig into a different water catchment area and ended up following the wrong stream which they thought was taking them back to their truck.

"Unfortunately they had no compass, map or GPS, had they not been found they would have been in pretty dire straits facing a second night in the bush. We managed to get them back to our base camp early this morning."

Mr Bell said while the priority was always about the preservation of life those involved were now contemplating the cost of what was an avoidable operation that involved about 50 civilian volunteers and nine police staff.

"What we're asking people to do is take care of the basics, ensure if you're going into the bush take the proper clothing and navigational aids and know how to use them."

- NZPA