Survival Ordeal In Bush

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30768, 4 June 1965, Page 7

Survival Ordeal In Bush

f.N’.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, June 2. A deerstalker, lost in the bush for three days, shot a wild ram and donned its skin in an effort to keep warm.

He is William Sanders, aged 34, who was back at his home at Herbert street. Hamilton, yesterday, resting after his ordeal. With two companions. Messrs H. C. Blair and D. M. Major, he entered the bush at Rangitaiki last Friday. On Sunday morning they separated, and Mr Sanders wandered about aimlessly until he stumbled back to a hut where searchers found him yesterday afternoon. Apart from badly blistered feet Mr Sanders said he felt fine. He returned to his job at the Dominion Life Assurance Company this afternoon. ‘Had I not been physically fit. 1 think I wouldn't have lasted more than that first night,” he said. He had nothing to eat for three days. “I tried to eat the wild ram. but it was utterly revolting and 1 just couldn’t.

“When 1 went off alone, 1 thought I would be safe because there were several distinguishable paths. But fog came down, and I realised I was lost.” Mr Sanders, today describes himself as “a novice deerstalker, but experienced in country ways.”

He said he had been completely unprepared for his experience. “I am quite prepared to go deerstalking again—but next time I will carry a compass, and some emergency supplies, just in case I get lost.”