A 23-year-old medical student who went missing in the remote Australian mountain range has been located after a harrowing two-week ordeal. The student, from Melbourne, disappeared on Dec. 26, 2024, while hiking in the Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales.
Surviving on just two muesli bars, foraged berries, and creek water, the student managed to stay alive until his rescue. His reappearance came when he approached a group of hikers, expressing his thirst and disorientation.
Police Inspector Josh Broadfoot expressed amazement at the student's resilience, given the challenging conditions of the terrain. The hiker had traversed over six miles of steep and densely wooded land before being found.
More than 300 searchers scoured the national park, home to the 7,310-foot Mount Kosciuszko, before the student's miraculous discovery. Reunited with his hiking companions, the student was airlifted to a hospital for a medical evaluation.
Despite his prolonged disappearance, the student was found to be in remarkably good spirits and physical condition. Ambulance Insp. Adam Mower noted that the student only required treatment for dehydration, a testament to his survival instincts.
The incident, occurring during the mild Southern Hemisphere summer, serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of outdoor adventures and the importance of preparedness when venturing into remote areas.
