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Father and son’s harrowing three-day ordeal in Tasmania’s freezing wilderness

A 13-year-old boy and his father lost for three freezing nights in Tasmania’s rugged south-west wilderness are lucky to be alive after tackling terrain rated by experienced trekkers as some of the toughest in the entire country.

Novice bushwalkers John Ward, 42, and his son Stephen were trying to complete the Scott’s Peak circuit near Lake Pedder when they became lost on Monday.

They were found wet, cold and scared just before 1pm on Thursday after summoning their last reserves of energy to reach higher ground, where they believed rescuers would have a better chance of finding them.

Their hunch proved correct when searchers finally spotted them.

Mr Ward was treated for mild hypothermia, but his son was said to be healthy and in good spirits.

Stephen Ward said he and his father kept close to each other throughout their ordeal.

“It was tough; really, really tough,” he said, explaining how the duo became hopelessly disoriented after leaving their campsite.

Camp site of John and Stephen Ward

The camp site of John and Stephen Ward. Photo: ABC

“We came across a hiker, he said we were on the right track, the one we were on, but it wasn’t, we were on a big, big track,” he said.

The father and son were on “a bonding weekend” and thought they had strayed about 20 kilometres from their camp site.

“We were on flat ground for a bit, then we found a river and made a hut down there,” he said. “We had a few muesli bars and stuff like that.”

The teen said he feared for their lives – and police agree their survival was a close-run thing.

“I thought we were on the way out,” he said.

Search coordinator Sergeant Chris Williams said the shelter they cobbled together “probably saved their lives”.

“They’ve been able to protect themselves somewhat from the elements, from the heavy rain we had, they still did become wet and damp in that shelter,” he said.

The pair spent Wednesday in a creek bed and decided on Thursday to move to higher ground, where they stretched reflective material on the ground to attract the attention of search crews.

 

 

arthurs traverse

The hikers hoped to take in spectacular scenery like this isolated mountain lake on the Arthurs Traverse track. Photo: Hiking Life

Police said although they were novice bushwalkers they did the right things. And luck was on their side when they found a small cache of food in a “supplies pack”, which are often left along the track by walkers, police said.

On Facebook, Mr Ward’s sister Alison said the family’s prayers had been answered.

“What a huge relief it was to see this. A big thank you to everyone who made it possible for my brother and nephew to return home,” she wrote.

“You all need a medal and will have nothing but gratitude and respect from all of my family.

“Thank you to everyone for the messages, kindness and prayers … they were truly answered.

“My family will be forever grateful.”

Mr Ward and Stephen had been missing since Monday, with the official alarm raised on Tuesday about 8pm.

Father and son hikers John and Stephen Ward began their ill-fated journey at Huon Campground.

Father and son hikers John and Stephen Ward began their ill-fated journey at Huon Campground.

Mr Ward’s car was found parked at the Huon Campground, with a campsite set up nearby.

Grave fears were held for the Hobart residents, who were described as “inexperienced” bushwalkers and under-equipped, with temperatures in the region plunging to close to freezing point overnight and rain and snow on areas nearby.

Police said the pair had not done any bushwalking in Tasmania before, but had made an entry in a log book which indicated they were going to do the Western Arthurs Traverse which is a four to five-day walk.

– with ABC

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