KEY POINTS:
Leaving airline tickets behind turned out to be a smart move for an accident-prone Swiss tourist lost in the bush.
Sandro Piccapietra was rescued in Kahurangi National Park near Nelson on Monday after being spotted by a RNZAF Iroquois helicopter.
A search was mounted for Mr Piccapietra after an acquaintance he left his passport and airline tickets with alerted police on Sunday that he had not returned when he was due to fly home from Christchurch yesterday. The Swiss tourist has gained a reputation for being accident prone while being in New Zealand on a working holiday.
Earlier this month he was ordered to pay $2000 reparation after losing control of his car and colliding with a van in the Motueka Valley.
Mr Piccapietra told rescuers his tramp to Mt Arthur was to be his last adventure in New Zealand before he flew back home to Switzerland. He had intended to be out on Thursday or Friday, but had become lost when the weather closed in.
A search was launched in the rugged area.
Mr Piccapietra had a tent and sleeping bag and lit fires at night to stay warm. He heard a helicopter ferrying search teams in and moved to an open area when he was spotted.
Mr Piccapietra was cold and wet and his clothes were ragged, but otherwise he was in good condition.
Police are reminding all trampers, locals or tourists, to let someone know where they were going.
- NZPA
