A member of the public reported finding an abandoned tent, a bicycle and other items at Ellis River. Photo: Google Maps
A man lost for 10 days in Baton Valley, Tasman, has been found by search teams and is recovering in hospital.
The man had been without food for a week and police said he was fortunate to have survived.
A search began on Monday morning after a member of the public reported finding an abandoned tent, a bicycle and other items at Ellis River.
Police and LandSAR teams, which included a search and rescue dog, looked for the missing man over a wide area, police said.
The man was found by LandSAR volunteers about 3km from the end of Baton Valley Road shortly after 5pm.
Low cloud prevented a helicopter flying in so the man was helped out by searchers, before being taken to Nelson Hospital.
"At this stage we believe the man had been lost for ten days, but had not been reported missing," Sergeant Jonny Evans of Nelson Bays Search and Rescue said.
"He is very lucky to be alive and I'd like to thank the member of the public who initially reported finding the tent and other items, as well as those who got in touch with us when we appealed for information about the tent on social media.
Evans said the situation showed the importance of getting in touch with police if people saw something that didn't seem quite right.
"The information provided by the public enabled us to get a search up and running. I have no doubt we would be dealing with a very different situation if this had not been reported to police when it was.
"And I would like to thank all those involved in the search, including our LandSAR volunteers. It was a very long day for them and they can be proud of the work they did to recover this man and bring him to safety."
Police said they encouraged anyone heading out tramping or hunting to take a personal locator beacon.
