Joshua Dart and his hiking group experienced an unforgettable moment when they discovered Hadi Nazari, a missing bushwalker, alive in Kosciuszko National Park. While relishing the breathtaking views on their first day of hiking, the group heard cries for help. Dart recalled, “When we realized it was him, I couldn’t believe it. We were just emotional, crying, and he was in tears.”

Nazari, a 23-year-old from Melbourne, had been unaccounted for in the NSW Snowy Mountains since Boxing Day. After a comprehensive two-week search, the hikers stumbled upon him around 3:15 PM off the circuit walk near Blue Lake. Amazingly, Nazari survived by foraging for berries, drinking creek water, and consuming two muesli bars he found in a nearby hut. Despite having endured scratches and sunburn, he remained in remarkably good spirits, expressing his gratitude by saying, “praise God.”

Upon being found, Nazari explained that he had unintentionally become separated from his friends and lost track of time, initially believing he had been missing for about seven days. After making contact with the hikers, he borrowed a phone to call his mother, igniting a wave of relief and happiness among his friends and family. His friend Maisum Jafari expressed overwhelming joy at the news, commenting, “We are ecstatic, over the moon.”

Following his rescue, a helicopter was dispatched to winch Nazari safely back to the search command post, where he was reunited with his family and assessed by paramedics. He is currently recovering at Cooma Hospital, where officials report he is in good health.

NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet emphasized the critical importance of maintaining hope during such search efforts, reassuring Nazari’s family that they could finally rest easy. Reflecting on the miracle of their encounter, Dart stated, “It’s just a miracle, and I’m so grateful for him and his family. He really kind of rescued himself; we just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

This heartwarming story not only illustrates the resilience of the human spirit but also highlights the significance of community support and hope during difficult situations. It serves as a poignant reminder that with determination and faith, positive outcomes are indeed achievable, even in life-threatening circumstances.