Hiker Found Alive 13-Days After Going Missing in Major National Park

A supplied image obtained on Jan. 2, 2025, of NSW SES personnel conducting a search for missing hiker 23-year-old hiker, Hadi Nazari, in the Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales in Australia. AAP Image/Supplied by NSW SES

A 23-year-old hiker, missing for nearly two weeks in the rugged terrain of Kosciuszko National Park—the location of Australia’s highest peak—has been found alive following an extensive multi-agency search.

Hadi Nazari, a Melbourne University neurosurgery student, was located near Blue Lake this afternoon by fellow hikers.

He was winched to safety and taken to a command post for medical assessment.

The rescue marked the culmination of a challenging search operation that involved over 300 people and spanned 13 days.

NSW Police, emergency services, and volunteers joined forces to navigate one of the most difficult areas in New South Wales to locate Nazari, who had gone missing on Dec. 26.

Clues Led to the Hiker’s Location

Nazari was last seen by his friends while descending the Hannels Spur Trail near Geehi.

When he failed to arrive at their planned meeting point at Geehi campground, his friends raised the alarm. Authorities began search efforts that evening, launching patrols on foot and by vehicle, and setting up a command post the next day.

The search area expanded as evidence of Nazari’s movements surfaced. Items such as hiking poles, rubbish, and later a campfire, lighter, and camera equipment were discovered. The findings suggested he was moving through the terrain and refocused efforts on areas with water sources.

Superintendent Spliet emphasised the importance of water access in sustaining Nazari during the ordeal.

“He has access to water, so that is the reason we are still out here,” Spliet said.

The region, described as “the most rugged terrain in NSW,” posed significant challenges to the search teams, who included specially trained bushwalkers and airlifted volunteers.

Family’s Relief and Community Gratitude

Nazari’s family had been anxiously waiting at the search site, hoping for positive news.

His father, Muhammad Nazari, expressed his joy and gratitude upon hearing of the rescue.

“God willing, we find Hadi and take him home. I would be very happy,” he said to ABC before the discovery.

Muhammad described his son, who moved to Australia in 2019, as a kind and ambitious individual with a strong desire to contribute to society.

Inspector Josh Broadfoot of the Riverina Police District called the rescue “an incredible outcome” and praised the efforts of all involved.

“We never gave up hope of finding him, and we are elated we can return him safely to his family,” he said.

NSW Police Update

NSW Superintendent Andrew Spliet said rescuers were keen to understand how Nazari had survived, revealing he had eaten only two muesli bars during his ordeal.

“He relayed that he found a hut up there in the mountains, and there were two muesli bars up there that he’s eaten, and that’s pretty much all that he’s had to consume over the last two weeks,” Spliet told reporters.

Spliet said Nazari had called out to other hikers in the area.

“He told them that he’d been lost in the bush and was thirsty. Those people then contacted emergency services.”

“It’s really hard to assess how somebody would look after themselves out there in the bush. We really just want to find out what he’s actually done, has he rested in the shade during the day? Has he found walking tracks that he’s been able to get on?

“As I said, he’s been in a hut there as well.If he stayed hydrated, which he has, he’s done really well.”