An Italian exchange student lost in the hills between Wainuiomata and Eastbourne has been found safe and well, police say.
Eric Rigamonti, 17, went missing after becoming separated from two friends overnight while out hiking in the rugged hills. The trio had gone out tramping at 3pm on Sunday but failed to return when it got dark.
Senior Sergeant Carolyn McKenzie said the 17-year-old sent a text message to his host family at 9pm on Sunday night saying the group had become lost in dense bush.
Authorities were able to contact him on his mobile at 11pm.
He told them he had become separated from his friends while trying to find mobile phone reception.
Search and rescue teams found Eric's two classmates from Wainuiomata College at 5am this morning.
After spending the night in temperatures of around 10degC, police say Eric managed to walk out of the bush on to Coast Rd in Wainuiomata.
He made his way to a local property where he was able to contact his host family and police.
3 News
source: newshub archive
