Australia: Missing hiker Hadi Nazari found in Snowy Mountains after 13 days

A hiker in New South Wales, Australia, has been found alive nearly two weeks after going missing. He survived by foraging for wild berries and eating two muesli bars.

Medical student Hadi Nazarie became lost while hiking with friends in the Snowy Mountains' Kosciuszko National Park on Boxing Day, after he wandered off to take a photo. Hundreds of people, including Nazarie's friends and family, joined the search for the 23-year-old.

Nazarie was discovered by other hikers around 3:15 pm local time on Wednesday (04:15 GMT). Superintendent Andrew Spliet told reporters that Nazarie called out to the hikers, "telling them he was lost in the bush and was very thirsty."

After the hikers contacted emergency services, Nazarie was airlifted by helicopter to the search and rescue command post. He was assessed by paramedics on-site and then transported to hospital. Spliet stated that Nazarie was found to be in good condition, conscious, able to speak, and with no apparent injuries.

Spliet said the two muesli bars Nazarie found in a hut on the mountain were "pretty much the only thing he’s eaten in the last two weeks," adding that the hiker also found water from streams and foraged for wild berries. Nazarie’s family embraced him at the search base on Wednesday and later confirmed to local media that he was safe. "This is the happiest day of our lives," they told 9News.

Nazarie was found near Blue Lake, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the campsite where he was supposed to meet his friends on December 26. Spliet said, "He's covered a fair distance in that time," adding that police will "meet with him" after he is discharged from the hospital.