Man found after 13 days

Press, 16 July 1982, Page 1

Man found after 13 days

A young Christchurch man who had been missing for 13 days was found among sand dunes near the Waimakariri rivermouth yesterday, naked and suffering from frostbite and exposure. .In spite of his ordeal, Stephen James ; McPhail, aged 24, was conscious and able to talk to the police search party who found him lying under a tree. “He just wanted a drink of water,” said Sergeant John Rowe.

Grave fears had been held for the safety of Mr McPhail, who left his flat in Woolston on July 2. Inquiries showed that he apparently had taken no money or spare clothing with him.

As a result of publicity, a resident called the police yesterday to say that a person answering Mr McPhail’s description had been seen on the beach on Wednesday. A search was quickly organised, and at 11.45 a.m. a police dog found the missing man lying under a tree near the Brooklands Lagoon. Mr McPhail’s feet were blackened by frostbite. He was naked, and had no food, clothing, or shelter, according to the police. Some of the heaviest frosts of the winter had been recorded during the time he was missing.

Luckily, a private helicopter, owned by Rowley Aviation, happened to fly along the beach just after Mr McPhail was found, and the police party was able to attract the attention of the pilot, Mr Neil Scott, who had been on his way to . a topdressing job on Banks Peninsula.

Mr Scott landed the Hiller 12E machine on the beach and flew Mr McPhail and a constable to New Brighton. Mr McPhail was transferred to a police car and then an ambulance, which took him to Christchurch Hospital. He was treated for frostbite and exposure.