Tracker dog finds lost young men

Three young men who became lost in hills on the Kapiti Coast last night walked out at first light today after being found by a police tracker dog.

The trio had ventured into an area near McKay's Crossing, south of Paraparaumu, in their black four-wheel-drive vehicle, Inspector Mike Coleman of the police central communications centre told NZPA.

Their vehicle became stuck and the three realised they were lost and called police about 10.30pm.

A Wellington police dog team tracked the men for about an hour before finding them at 1.45am today.

"They had been wearing T-shirts, singlets and shorts and had nothing else with them," Mr Coleman said.

"They were cold and thirsty but were not injured, although one was reported to have vomited."

The men, all believed to be locals, were escorted out of the hills today by a search and rescue team who had stayed with them overnight, and were met by ambulance staff who checked them over.

Mr Coleman said police were very pleased with the work of the tracker dog.

- NZPA