A helicopter hovers above the hut area during hunt for missing man. Photo: SuppliedA reported case of a "missing tramper" was actually a serial absconder who terrified elderly hikers and fled into deep bush to avoid armed police out hunting for him. Police spoke on Monday about a successful search and rescue mission for a tramper missing in remote, "unforgiving" south Westland country over the weekend. However, a tramper who encountered the missing man at Welcome Flat Hut in Copland Valley was so troubled by the police's sanitised version of events given to media, that he contacted the Herald to tell his side. Another helicopter arrived with more police officers, a police dog and thermal imaging gear, along with a SAR team.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 08, 2022 06:45 UTC