A search team miraculously found Hadi Nazari, a young medical student, alive after he had been lost for two weeks in Australia's rugged Snowy Mountains.
According to CBS News, His survival in Kosciuszko National Park involved foraging for berries and drinking creek water.
Hadi Nazari, 23, from Melbourne, vanished on December 26 while hiking with friends in the Snowy Mountains' Kosciuszko National Park. The extensive search operation that followed included over 300 people and combined both ground and aerial resources.
While separated from his group to take photos, Nazari found himself alone in the wilderness. Unaided, he traveled over 6 miles from the spot where his companions last saw him.
The search team coordinated carefully for several days to find Nazari. His friends immediately notified authorities when they realized he was missing, which sparked a large-scale search and rescue mission across the park's challenging terrain.
On January 8, 2025, Nazari approached a group of hikers and explained that he was lost and dehydrated. This encounter led to his rescue and immediate medical attention, bringing relief to the search teams and his worried friends.
After rescuers discovered him, they airlifted him to a nearby hospital where doctors assessed his condition. Despite the harrowing experience, Nazari remained in surprisingly good health, suffering mainly from mild dehydration.
In the wilderness, Nazari sustained himself by eating berries he foraged and drinking water from creeks. Additionally, in a small hut, he found two muesli bars which also helped sustain him throughout his ordeal.
Nazari's story is not just about survival but also about the incredible will to maintain hope in dire situations. The discovery of his temporary campsite, a campfire, and personal items like a camera and hiking poles indicated his ongoing efforts to manage in the wild.
Inspector Josh Broadfoot and Ambulance Inspector Adam Mower both commended Nazari's resilience and spirit. Broadfoot remarked on Nazari's exceptional condition given the circumstances, noting, "He seems well: Amazing. This is the 14th day we've been looking for him."
"For him to come out and be in such good spirits and such great condition, it's incredible," Broadfoot added, highlighting the surprising outcome of what could have been a tragic event.
"There are some creeks up there and he said he's been finding water where he could and foraging for food where he could, in terms of berries. At one point, he said he found a couple of muesli bars in a hut, but other than that - 14 days and that's very little food," Broadfoot explained the survival tactics used by Nazari during his unintended stay in the wilderness.
While Nazari recovered from his ordeal, his case served as a reminder of the importance of preparedness when embarking on hiking adventures in such vast and unpredictable environments as those of the Snowy Mountains and the Kosciuszko National Park.
Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest peak and part of the Snowy Mountains where Nazari was lost, is known for its mild weather conditions during the Southern Hemisphere summer. However, the terrain can still present significant challenges.
Nazari's incident underscores the need for proper planning and equipment when hiking. This includes always staying with your group, having adequate supplies, and having a means of communication in case of emergency.
The fortunate outcome of this incident was not only Nazari's courage and determination but also the effectiveness of the coordinated search efforts by the local authorities and volunteers. Their swift response and thorough coverage of the area were crucial in locating and rescuing Nazari.
Ultimately, Nazari was reunited with his hiking friends, and his story has been a source of inspiration and relief for many. Ambulance Inspector Adam Mower remarked on Nazari’s health, noting, "He's in remarkable condition for a person who's been missing for so long."
This event has not only captivated the nation but also highlighted the critical aspects of survival, the spirit of endurance, and the importance of community effort in rescue operations. Nazari's experience will likely continue to be a point of reference for discussions on safety in wilderness areas.
As Nazari continues his recovery, his ordeal remains a powerful narrative of human resilience and the profound will to survive against the odds, providing essential learnings for all outdoor enthusiasts.
