A British hiker who disappeared in a remote South Island national park has been found alive.
Newshub understand the rescued 28-year-old man is a tourist named Stephen Bennett. He is being flown to Grey Base Hospital by helicopter to be assessed for mild hypothermia.
Police, who are yet to officially name the man, say he was reported missing on Saturday night after failing to return from a planned walk up Mt Bovis near Punakaiki in Paparoa National Park.
Ground crews found footprints and the man's water bottle before finding him near Bovis Creek.
West Coast area commander Inspector Mel Aitken thanked search crews for their efforts. It included two helicopters, 15 ground crew and a dog team.
"I would like to thank searchers and the helicopter crews for their commitment over the past two days," she says.
"Thanks to their expertise, I’m pleased there has been a successful outcome to the search."
Mr Bennett's parents are currently flying in from the UK with the premise of joining the search.
Newshub.
