A 22-year-old hunter from Timaru has been found safe and well
this afternoon after the alarm was raised when he did not
return from the Manapouri area as expected this morning.
Te Anau police said the man, who had been part of a hunting
trip, returned to Back Valley Hut near Manapouri at about
lunchtime. The hut was where he stayed last night.
He telephoned police to give his location at about 1pm. A
member of Land Search and Rescue in the field confirmed the
man was safe and well via text message at 1.50pm.
A search and rescue team team was equipped and sitting in a
helicopter ready for take off and to begin the operation when
the order to stand down came through.
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