Mystery Tramping Pack Owner Found

New Zealand Police National News Release

10 October 2006

The mystery owner of a tramping pack abandoned in the Tararua Forest Park is safe and well at his Levin home.

Sergeant Jo Holden, Wellington Police SAR Squad coordinator, says the 35-year-old man contacted Central Police Communications late this afternoon to say that the maroon MacPac was his. He had heard reports on radio news bulletins this afternoon that police had found the pack on the Block XVI track and were concerned for the wellbeing of the owner.

"I'm pretty satisfied from talking with the man that the pack is his," Sergeant Holden says.

It seems the man and his dog went into the Tararua Ranges about three weeks ago. He became unwell after only a night in the bush and decided to walk back out with the dog to his car which he'd left at the Kaitoke roadend.

"He left the pack on the track, taking only his car keys with him and intended to return for the pack when he was well enough," Sergeant Holden says. "In the meantime another bush user has spotted the pack, retrieved the man's wallet and cellphone and arranged the return of those items to the owner."

The rest of the pack and contents were found by a school tramping party late last week and recovered by Sergeant Holden and a private tramping team on Sunday.

"We're pleased that with the help of other bush users and the news media that the owner has been found, and that he's alive and well."

ENDS

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