Missing hiker's first four words as he's found following 13-day manhunt
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A hiker who had been missing for nearly four weeks called his family after being found and immediately shared four words with them. Hadi Nazari, 23, went missing in Kosciuszko National Park, in New South Wales, Australia, on December 26 and sparked a major search and rescue operation. Despite being lost for 13 days, he managed to survive by eating just two muesli bars found in a hut that he ate to sustain himself through the ordeal.
He was found on Wednesday when several hikers came across him as he called out for help. His sister Zahra Nazari said her brother shared four words with the family to let them know he was safe. "I'm found, I'm alive," he said. She told nine.com.au: "Happiest moment of my life, literally couldn't ask god for anything better than that.".
Zahra went on to praise everyone involved in the search as well as the hikers who found him who she called "angels." She added: "I stand before you today with a heart full of relief, thankfulness, gratitude and profound appreciation for the remarkable work done by the search and rescue team to find my brother," she said.
"The extent of what you have done is beyond words. Time seemed to stop when we found out our brother was missing and every second seemed to drag on forever." Hadi is now recovering in hospital and is expected to return home in the coming days. He shared a statement from hospital expressing his gratitude to rescuers and his fellow hikers.
