A London-based journalist has been found alive in Norway after spending nearly a week alone in the wilderness with a serious leg injury.
Alec Luhn, 38, vanished while embarking on a four-day hike in Folgefonna National Park on July 31.
He had been reported missing on Monday after failing to catch a flight from Bergen to the UK, according to his wife Veronika Silchenko.
American-born Mr Luhn has worked for the BBC, Guardian, New York Times and was the Daily Telegraph’s Moscow correspondent.
Geir Arne Sunde, head of a local air ambulance service and trauma centre, said he hurt himself the evening he set out on the glacier.
“He is seriously injured, but not critically injured,” Mr Sunde added.
The award-winning reporter survived in the mountains in very bad weather for five days, with little food or drink.
Rescue crews from the Red Cross used dogs, drones and specialised climbers.
But searches were suspended twice because of poor weather, including heavy rainfall.
One of the helicopter pilots hunting for Mr Luhn over several days finally spotted him, Mr Sunde said.
“I can’t remember us finding someone alive after so many days,” said Stig Hope, head of the operations leadership team at Folgefonna and a Red Cross volunteer.
“The search doesn’t always end like this - but today, it did. It’s a huge relief for everyone who’s been part of the effort.”
Ms Silchenko told CBS News it was a “miracle” that her husband - who is currently based in London, but has recently lived in Moscow and Istanbul - had been found.
“It’s the best day of my life,” added the Emmy-winning reporter.
Mr Luhn’s sister Drew Gaddis confirmed he had been found “in overall good health” and was being taken to hospital in Bergen in a helicopter.
“We can breathe again,” she said.
His wife said that Mr Luhn was “basically obsessed with the Arctic”, adding: “He loves glaciers and snow, and he loves explorers.
“He’s trying his best to go to the coldest countries.”
