Missing trampers found

Two trampers missing in the Urewera National Park for two days have been found safe and well.

A search and rescue operation was launched about 9am after the third member of their hunting party set off an emergency beacon after they failed to return last night from a hunt the previous day.

Steve Corbett of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre said emergency services picked up the beacon and a Rotorua-based rescue helicopter went up and found the concerned hunter at Otanetea Hut, about 20km north of Ruatahuna.

Searchers said the Wellington men, aged 43 and 50, had become disoriented and were found about 1km downstream from the hut after having spent the night in the bush.

- NZPA