A North Otago farmer was back with his family yesterday after a routine stock check led to an unexpected stay in a hut in the snow near Dansey Pass.
Tony Bayley, from Otekaieke Station, was located by helicopter at 2.25am yesterday, after North Otago Search and Rescue was activated.
Police were contacted about 11pm after Mr Bayley failed to return to his home on Special School Rd at Otekaieke.
He had gone to check stock on his quad bike about 1pm on Wednesday and had only expected to be away for an hour or two.
Mr Bayley reached a point in heavy snow where he could go neither forward nor back, Sergeant Pete Muldrew said.
Mr Bayley knew the area well and had shown common sense in walking "some distance" to the hut, Sgt Muldrew said.
The rescue effort also included ground teams, police and neighbouring farmers with chains on their quad bikes.
Mr Bayley declined to comment other than to thank police, the search and rescue team headed by Steve Hanson; his neighbours, Greg and Karen Metherell; and helicopter pilot John Oakes.
"It's good to know there is a good setup," he said.
