Alan Mortimore and his son Danny head to a helicopter after being found largely unscathed after three days lost in Fiordland bush. Photo / Luisa Girao
A father and son had an emotional reunion with their family yesterday after three nights lost in the bush.
Their ordeal ended when they were discovered by an Otago Daily Times reporter on a remote Fiordland road.
Family members yesterday rushed to greet the missing Southland pair, Alan Mortimore, 49, and 14-year-old son Danny, when they were dropped off by the Otago Daily Times at Thicket Burn Campsite in Fiordland National Park. The family members had their hands to their mouths, stunned to see the pair "home".
Alan Mortimore and his son were reported missing after failing to return from a hunt near Lake Hauroko on Saturday evening.
In the short drive there, both said they were relieved to be located and said they survived by drinking water from a creek and eating bars and fruit they had in their bags
Danny had twisted his ankle and Alan had become disoriented for a period.
They had scratches and cuts to their legs but were otherwise in good condition.
Alan Mortimore said his years in the army helped him as he had remembered techniques used to survive cold temperatures at night.
He and his son slept behind fallen trees and were protected by them.
They had seen helicopters involved in the search and Alan Mortimore fired a shot to get their attention but to no avail.
When he saw his family, he could not hide his grin.
After about half an hour catching up with family, both were transported to the Southland Hospital by helicopter.
Alan Mortimore's father, Gavin Mortimore, was "over the moon" to be reunited with the pair.
The pair had travelled from Invercargill to Fiordland to celebrate the 75th birthday of one of Alan's mates, he said.
Sergeant Ian Martin said 35 people, including LandSAR volunteers and Police Search and Rescue staff, conducted ground searches in the area since Sunday.
He was pleased with the outcome and wanted to highlight the importance of having the correct gear.
"You shouldn't get out in the bush without a compass, a map, and a personal locator beacon."