A seriously injured hunter missing for two nights in rugged terrain in the Kaweka Ranges, west of Napier, was extremely lucky to survive, police say.
Kevin Steger, aged 40, from Waiuku in South Auckland, was spotted by the crew of an Air Force Iroquois helicopter at dusk on Tuesday, in what
was the last search of the day as snow began falling.
Search coordinator Senior Sergeant John Lovatt said Mr Steger would probably not have survived the night and was hypothermic when found.
"He was extremely lucky. He was seriously injured and was in bad shape when the helicopter crew got him.
"He probably wouldn't have lasted the night with the deteriorating conditions."
It is believed Mr Steger had no food or extra clothing with him and he was unable to move after the accident.
Mr Steger flew into the area on Sunday with two friends for five days' hunting.
He went for a short hunt that afternoon but failed to return to the hut and the alarm was raised by cellphone on Monday.
About 12 searchers went into the area on Tuesday and others were placed on standby, Senior Sergeant Lovatt said. Some of the searchers remained in the area on Tuesday night and were flown out yesterday when the weather improved.
Senior Sergeant Lovatt said Mr Steger was an experienced hunter but had become disoriented and fallen 60m down a waterfall, suffering possible internal injuries.
He was found lying in a stream with severe hypothermia and winched into the helicopter, which had just 6m of spare lifting wire.
The helicopter then had to abort the journey to Hawkes Bay Hospital after the weather closed in.
The helicopter landed on the Napier-Taihape road about 60km from Napier. The crew were met by a local resident in a utility and Mr Steger, along with an Air Force medic, was put into the back of the vehicle.
St John Ambulance staff met the ute a short time later and Mr Steger was again transferred for the final journey to hospital.
He is in a serious condition in Hastings Hospital.
- NZPA
