An Otago Daily Times reporter covering the story of a search for a Southland father and son missing in Fiordland today came across the pair on a remote road.
Luisa Girao has been on the story of the pair - Invercargill man Alan Mortimore (49) and his son Danny (14) - after they failed to return from a hunt near Lake Hauroko on Saturday evening.
Ms Girao found the pair on Lillburn Valley Rd about 2km from the Department of Conservation (Doc) campsite from where the search operation was being run.
The pair had been missing since departing from the Doc campsite for what was planned to be a short hunting trip.
They said they survived by drinking water from a creek and eating bars and fruit they had in their bags.
Danny had twisted his ankle and Alan had become disorientated.
They had scratches and cuts to their legs but were otherwise in good condition.
Ms Girao said she was in a state of near shock at being the one to come across the pair.
"I can't believe it."
RNZ reports the pair were being flown to Southland Hospital to be checked out.
A police spokeswoman earlier today said efforts overnight to locate the pair using light and sound systems were unsuccessful.
More than 30 people had been taking part in the search since Sunday after people in the campsite reported they failed to return from their hunt.
Sergeant Ian Martin said the pair appeared to have almost no overnight or survival gear with them and were not prepared for a night in the bush.
"Some other people who were at the campsite notified the police.
"They said they would be away for two hours for a hunt and they did not turn up.
"I don’t think they had much experience and they did not have the equipment necessary."
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for the region today.
On Sunday afternoon, police search and rescue personnel conducted a ground and aerial search using thermal and night vision technology from a helicopter.
Last week a tramper was found dead in the national park after searches in the Devil’s Armchair area near the northern end of the Milford Track.
