City Man Walks Out Of Bush As Planes Search

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 10

City Man Walks Out Of Bush As Planes Search

(New Zealand Press Association)

GORE, February 9. When he realised that an aircraft summoned to pick him up from his isolated bush hut was unable to reach him, a man suffering from a slight stroke started off on his own He managed to cover 17 miles on foot in two days before help arrived Meanwhile, searching planes were unable to locate the sick man, Mr Harry Wade Walker, aged 65, of Tuam street, Christchurch.

Mr Walker had spent seven weeks alone in the bush on

holiday in the Pike area off tiie shored of Lake Alabaster, in the Te Anau region. After suffering the stroke, Mr Walker asked a ranger last Monday to send in an aircraft, but received an airdropped message suggesting that he should walk out as the float plane was out of action Arrangements were made for another • amphibian to go in, but by this time Mr Walker had set out, and the plane could not locate him The pilot reported back to the chief ranger, Mr P Dorizac, at Te Anau. Mr Dorizac got in touch with the police at Riversdale and with Constable B. Allen flew to Lake Alabaster on Wednesday evening. They landed on the lake and went into the bush searching for the missing man.

A party of deerstalkers told them Mr Walker had been seen walking towards the Hollyford Valley on Tuesday The party then flew to Lake Gunn and eventually late that night located Mr Walker at the Hollyford Valley camp Although exhausted by his trek. Mr Walker said he was all right and did not now require medical attention Satisfied that he was comfortable. with people to look after him. the party returned to Te Anau last night.