Toilet paper sign spotted by helicopter leads to tramper's rescue

4:40 pm on 7 October 2022
A missing tramper in Wellington has been rescued after making a help sign out of toilet paper.

The man tried to spell out 'help' with toilet paper but ran out before he could finish, however, it was still seen by a rescue helicopter crew. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

A missing tramper in Wellington has been rescued after making a help sign out of toilet paper.

He went missing after leaving for a five-day tramp on 28 September.

Search and Rescue found the 55-year-old in Tararua Forest Park today.

Concerned family had notified police after not hearing from him for several days.

He was trapped in a hut by bad weather after only completing a short portion of his route.

Without a rescue beacon, the man tried to spell out 'help' with toilet paper - but ran out before he could finish.

The rescue helicopter crew still saw the signal and reunited the tramper with his friends and family.