Australian Medical Student Rescued After 13 Days in High Mountains "Thanks to Stream Water and Mountain Berries"

A man in his 20s missing from Mount Kosciuszko in Australia
Authorities and volunteers conduct large-scale search but fail to find him
Rescued by a hiker after 13 days...in good health

A missing hiker in the alpine region, which includes Australia's highest peak at an altitude of 2200m, was rescued after about two weeks, drawing attention. On the 9th (local time), local media The Australian reported, "23-year-old medical student Hardy Najari got separated from his two friends while hiking in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales (NSW) on the 26th of last month and lost his way."

Medical student Hardy Nazari (center right), who had been missing for about two weeks in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, was rescued by hikers on the 8th (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News

The Snowy Mountains range forms a large alpine area including Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest mountain at 2228m above sea level. Mount Kosciuszko is part of a national park and is widely loved by trekkers. However, due to dense forests and strong winds, Mount Kosciuszko is considered one of the most challenging places to hike in Australia.

At the time, Najari's friends planned to meet him at the campsite after hiking, but when he did not appear, they reported him missing to the rescue authorities. Subsequently, Australian authorities deployed a search team of over 300 people and aircraft to conduct the search, but they were unable to find him. However, recent mild weather and the discovery of some of his belongings during the search kept hope alive, and search efforts continued.

Then, on the afternoon of the 8th, 13 days after he went missing, Najari was found alive by another hiker. He was soon transported to a hospital and was reported to have no major issues other than dehydration. Interest also grew regarding the secret to his survival.

He told the police, "After getting lost, I found and ate two cereal bars in an empty hut, and otherwise survived by drinking creek water and eating wild berries," adding, "I wandered the mountain from morning until night."

It was understood that just before being rescued, Najari had passed through the steepest and most densely forested terrain of Mount Kosciuszko. Najari's family expressed their gratitude in a statement, saying, "We thank everyone who helped find Najari."