Shocking new footage has emerged of the moment missing hiker Hadi Nazari was rescued by a group of young Melbourne hikers after being missing for two weeks.
Nazari, 23, from Berwick in Melbourne, lost his friends when he went to take photographs along the Hannels Spur Trail between Khancoban and Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales at around 2.30pm on 26 December.
On Wednesday, 13 days later, he was found on top of a scenic mountain by a group of off-the-loop hikers near Blue Lake in Kosciuszko National Park around 3 p.m.
Melbourne hiker Ty Pareskevopoulos has shared the touching moment the medical student was located after being lost and alone.
Wearing khaki pants and hiking boots, he looked relieved and tired as he smiled and posed for a photo titled “unreal” with his rescuers.
Ty’s video shows a New South Wales Police helicopter hovering over the group of hikers, preparing to take Hadi to the command post for a medical assessment.
In another video, he can be heard telling hikers that throughout the ordeal he was thinking, “I have to find my way.”
Mr Pareskevopoulos’ father, Jamie Paros, told the Herald Sun that his son’s hiking group still planned to finish their three-day adventure and return home tomorrow, despite the distraction of the rescue.
Nazari surrounded by a group of hikers who found him
Moments before he was taken to the command post to undergo a medical evaluation.
“We didn’t think it was true when he messaged us,” she said.
‘But my son really found it. It was pretty crazy.’
Despite surviving on just two muesli bars, water and wild berries, “dehydration and foot blisters” are understood to be Mr Nazari’s main medical concerns.
NSW Police Inspector Josh Broadfoot said it was an “incredible result” to find Nazari alive after almost two weeks.
“We never gave up hope of finding him and we are delighted to be able to return him safely to his family,” Inspector Broadfoot said.
Inspector Broadfoot thanked the partner agencies who assisted in the search along with volunteers.
SES deputy area commander Matt Price said volunteers were elated after searching tirelessly for 13 days.
“The team has worked in some of the most difficult terrain and heatwave conditions,” Price said.
“When they finally found out he had been located safe and sound, there was an incredible sense of pride and joy at the outcome.”
Mr Nazari’s sister Zahra issued a statement on behalf of the family.
New photos capture the moment hiker Hadi Nazari was found
Despite surviving on just two muesli bars, water and wild berries, “dehydration and foot blisters” are understood to be their main medical concerns.
“We are very grateful that Hadi is safe and healthy,” he said. “We are grateful for everyone involved in helping us find my brother.”
Hundreds of people participated in the search, scouring the thick bush for almost two weeks.
During the search, trash, hiking poles, a campfire, a lighter and a camera belonging to him were found.
Nazari’s friend Muhammad Iylas said he was shocked but overjoyed to see him again.
“He’s a hero, like 14 days without food… he’s perfectly fine,” Iylas told ABC News.
NSW Police Inspector Josh Broadfoot said it was an “incredible result” to find Nazari alive after almost two weeks.
“We never gave up hope of finding him and we are delighted to be able to return him safely to his family,” Inspector Broadfoot said.