A man who was rescued from the Northern Territory bush after about a week in sub-zero temperatures and difficult terrain survived by drinking from littered water bottles on the side of the road.
Gach Top failed to show up for a night shift on July 28, just hours after the 26-year-old man spoke to his family on the phone.
Police found his red Mazda on Larapinta Drive the next morning.
Fears for his safety grew after crews searched 500 kilometres of “difficult terrain” about 21 kilometres west of Alice Springs to no success, and temperatures fell to minus 0.5 degrees on Thursday and hovered between a low of 0 and 2 degrees for the remainder of the week.
The search was suspended over the weekend, and the matter was handed over to the NT Police Southern Crime Division for investigation.
“I want to thank all the search teams who have done an excellent job covering a huge area over the past five days but, unfortunately, it hasn’t produced the result we hoped for,” Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr said when the search was suspended.
Top’s family was informed of the decision.
But yesterday evening, members of the community found Top near Jay Creek outstation, about 45 kilometres from where he was first declared missing.
St John NT Ambulance Services director Andrew Thomas said Top was spotted walking dazed and confused after becoming lost in the bush.
“He told responders he had survived by drinking water from discarded bottles found along the roadside,” he said.
“We commend the local community members whose vigilance helped bring this situation to a safe outcome. Their actions likely made all the difference.”
Top was treated by paramedics for dehydration before being taken to the Alice Springs Hospital for further care.
Thomas said he was “incredibly relieved” Top had been found and that it was an experience “no one should have to endure”.
“This incident is a powerful reminder of the importance of being prepared when venturing into remote areas,” he said.