Two missing tourists found

Two missing tourists, both deaf and one blind, were found yesterday evening after a search in Wanaka.

The Wanaka Police and Land Search and Rescue teams spent the afternoon seeking the Israeli tourists who were reported lost by a third member of their party.

Search and rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said the three men set off around 11.30am to walk the Spotts Creek track in the Cardrona Valley, a journey that takes about six hours.

Just as the team got ready to scale up the search the travellers returned to the carpark a little tired but otherwise safe and sound.

Because of communication difficulties rescuers do not know what happened. The trio, all in their mid 20s, have been holidaying in New Zealand for four weeks.