Police locate tramper Shaun lost on Canterbury’s Mt Peel

Police, LandSAR, rescue dogs and volunteers are search for the missing tramper at Little Mt Peel. Photo / Google Maps

A search and rescue effort to find a man who went missing when tramping with family yesterday has reached a successful conclusion, the tramper found “safe and well”.

Police, LandSAR and volunteers searched the Little Mt Peel/Huatekerekerearea in South Canterbury and asked trampers in the area to keep an eye out for the missing man.

The 29-year-old, known as Shaun, was found by a volunteer search team, shortly before 10am according to Canterbury police.

Aoraki Area Commander Inspector, Vicki Walker said Shaun was airlifted out and taken to the Peel Forest Fire Station to be assessed by an ambulance crew as a precaution.

“We would like to thank everyone who assisted, especially the LandSAR volunteer teams, who continued searching until 4am,” said Walker.

A search and rescue group was being dropped off by a helicopter at Mt Peel on a separate occasion. Photo / Jason Boa

Shaun had been tramping with this family along the challenging loop trail near Geraldine when they separated halfway through the trek.

“About 1.30 pm, halfway along their intended route, Shaun decided not to push on,” said Walker.

“The three of them agreed that he would head back to the car, where the other two would meet him after they finished the tramp.”

“The pair returned to the vehicle but there was no sign Shaun had made it back.”

The rest of the family walked to a nearby property and called the Police at 6.30pm.

An organised search effort began in the early evening, focusing on the many tracks in the area, and continued until 4 am.

Police alongside five volunteer search teams, LandSAR dogs, and a helicopter resumed the search this morning.

Walker had said the area was very large and there were a number of tracks that needed checking.

“Thankfully the weather conditions have been fine, though there is fog in the area this morning.”

The temperature dropped to 5 degrees Celsius overnight.

Walker said people wanting to explore the outdoors should make sure they have adequate supplies of food and water, and suitable clothes.

“If you get lost, the best advice is stay put and wait for help to arrive,” she said.

“We’re grateful to everyone who’s contributed to this successful outcome.”