‘I screamed out Dad... we couldn’t believe it’
72-year-old bushman survives three days alone; community's search a success
Aman missing in the Tararua Ranges since Monday was miraculously found alive by his son and nephew in the nick of time after spending three days and two nights alone in the bush.
Brent Harrison, 72, was reported as missing on Monday afternoon after going for a tramp in the Tararua Ranges east of Levin earlier that day.
His disappearance sparked a large scale search operation involving Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) and Police and he was found alive at 7pm on Wednesday night by his son Luke and nephew Ben Mackay involved in the search.
Harrison’s worried family and friends had gathered at the entrance to Tararua Forest Park wanting to help. Luke and Brent were involved in the search and were extremely fortunate they found him when they did.
Luke had been calling out for his father in vain and said he was guided by intuition when searching a particular area. He couldn’t believe it when he heard his father’s voice give a faint cry in return.
“I screamed out Dad and I could hear his voice. I’m not sure he could believe it. We couldn’t believe it,” he said.
“Half an hour later...we might not have been able to find him
While Brent Harrison was an extremely competent and well-known, experienced bushman, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was dehydrated, confused, hypothermic, hungry, and so fatigued when he was found he would have been unable to walk out of the bush alone.
It is probable he would not have survived another night alone in the bush.
He was found in thick bush with dusk approaching near the Ohau Gorge and was flown to Palmerston North Hospital at 8.20pm. He was still in hospital this morning recovering from the ordeal.
Inspector Ashley Gurney. said Police were pleased to be able to share the news Harrison had been found.
“Obviously, he has been through quite an ordeal after spending close to three days in the Ranges, but the community rallied together determined for him to return home, and he will,” she said.
“We have had Police Search and Rescue, LandSAR trackers and search dogs on the ground, and Amateur Radio Communications (ARERC) providing communications support – plus support from the Royal New Zealand Airforce NH90 helicopter, Amalgamated Helicopters in the air and the Rapid Relief Team.”
“In addition to these volunteers, a number of friends and family joined the search yesterday.”
“A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone involved, and over the past few days, for giving up your time and providing your expertise to our efforts.”
Harrison is receiving medical attention at Palmerston North Hospital.
He was an experienced tramper who belonged to the Tararua Tramping Club and had been tramping from a young age.
He had only planned to go for a day tramp to Te Matawai Hut and entered the bush at 5am on Monday morning. The alarm was raised later that afternoon when he failed to return.
His disappearance served as a great advertisement for the merits of carrying a PLB (personal locator beacon) for anyone entering the bush.