A father and son who survived three days in almost-freezing temperatures in the rugged Tasmanian wilderness were able to construct a makeshift shelter to save their lives.
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John Ward, 42, and his 13-year-old son Stephen, of Hobart, were reported missing earlier this week after they failed to return from a bushwalk in the state’s remote South-West.
The father and son were found alive and well by rescuers on Thursday afternoon.
Tasmania Police Search and Rescue coordinator Chris Williams said the pair were able to build the shelter from shrubs and bushes to offer some protection from the harsh conditions.
Along the way, the father and son also stumbled across a food drop left by other walkers on the track, and used a reflective object to attract attention.
Mr Ward and his son were found by emergency crews about 15 kilometres from their campsite.
Once found, the pair were airlifted to Lake Pedder, with Mr Ward suffering mild hypothermia, and Stephen “in good spirits”.
Before they were airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital, the family were met in the helicopter by wife and mother Joanne Ward for an emotional reunion.
Senior Constable Williams said the pair had spent the past few days in wet clothing and cold temperatures.
“They’ve built a small shelter in a location and they’ve been able to protect themselves somewhat from the elements,” he said.
“It’s most likely saved their lives that they’ve had the smarts to build something like that.
“It is quite common for food drops to be put along remote tracks like this … they were lucky enough to come across something like this.”
Search and Rescue personnel Michael Preshaw and Louise Sales located the missing pair after they were dropped into Nine Mile Creek by helicopter.
“We found what appeared to be a fairly rudimentary shelter that had been made and we found a backpack,” Mr Preshaw said.
“We looked around the area and yelled out for the people we were looking for and they made themselves known and appeared out of nowhere.
“Stephen got a space blanket and tied it to a star picket, one of the track markers, so that they could be seen.”
Inspector George Cretu said he was “very relieved and pleased” with the positive outcome.
“We know the conditions were poor and the terrain was difficult, and also they didn’t have the greatest of gear,” he said.
“But we maintained our optimism and our search control team in-particular maintained effort, maintained focus and continued to be planned.”
UPDATE 2.30pm Thursday:
A father and son found after being missing in the rugged South-West wilderness are en route to Hobart.
John Ward, 42, has mild hypothermia, but 13-year-old Stephen is believed to be in good spirits.
The pair managed to build a shelter and find a food drop parcel.
Rescue crews and Tasmania Police had 35 members scouring the Scott’s Peak area at Lake Pedder after the pair failed to return from a bushwalk on Tuesday.
John and Stephen were found close to the track.
UPDATE 12.30pm Thursday:
A father and son missing in rugged South-West wilderness have been found.
The pair were reported missing on Tuesday night after they failed to return from a bushwalk.
Tasmania Police and SES crews were searching the Scott’s Peak area at Lake Pedder.
The Hobart father and son were found alive on Thursday.
UPDATE 8.20am Thursday:
Rescue crews are continuing their air and land search for a Hobart father and son who are yet to return from a bushwalk in the state’s South-West.
At first light a police helicopter began searing from the sky and ground search teams are being deployed.
The pair, aged 42 and 13, were due back from the Lake Pedder area on Tuesday afternoon.
Harsher weather conditions are causing some concern for the pair, with temperatures reaching a low of 2.3 degrees at Scotts peak on Wednesday night.
UPDATE 5pm Wednesday:
Rescue crews will continue searching for a father and son missing in rugged wilderness in South-West Tasmania on Wednesday night.
Police and SES crews were searching the Scotts Peak area at Lake Pedder after a 42-year-old Hobart man and his 13-year-old son failed to return from a bushwalk on Tuesday night.
Ground crews are expected to resume searching on foot on Thursday morning while one helicopter will continue to search through the night, weather-permitting.
UPDATE 3.30PM Wednesday:
The search for a father and son who failed to return from a bushwalk continues.
Tasmania Police and SES crews began a large-scale search on Wednesday after the pair were reported missing on Tuesday night.
Sergeant Chris Williams, who is on site at Lake Pedder, said ground and air crews would continue searching the Scotts Peak area until dark.
It is understood the pair initially intended to do day walks in the area but according to a walking log on Tuesday, they were attempting to tackle the Western Arthur’s Range Traverse.
The range is known to be “rough and at times dangerous” and the walk is 15 kilometres long with 22 major peaks and can take several days to conquer.
EARLIER:
A search is underway for a father and son missing in the state’s South-West.
The 42-year-old Hobart man and his 13-year-old son were reported missing on Tuesday night after they failed to return from a bushwalk.
The duo were staying at the Huon Camp Ground where their tent, car and wet weather gear was found.
Search coordinator, Sergeant Chris Williams, said police and SES were conducting a large-scale land search and both Westpac Rescue Helicopters were in the area.
“We are doing everything we can to locate the father and son as quickly as possible,” he said.
“We have significant concerns for their safety due to the fact they are ill-equipped for the cold and wet conditions and they have little bushwalking experience.”
A police search forward command post has been set up at Lake Pedder Wilderness Lodge.