Lost biker used ferns for warmth

MAARTEN HOLL

GOOD TO BE OUT: Phil Coffey, who spent a freezing night in the bush, said he heard whistles and saw torches. "It was the most amazing feeling."

A trail-bike rider who went missing in bush near Wellington stuffed his jacket with fern leaves to keep warm as he huddled in a tree hollow.

Phillip Coffey, 35, failed to return home from a ride in Akatarawa Forest Park, between Upper Hutt and the Kapiti Coast, on Sunday. He was facing a second night in the bush when he was found in darkness about 6.15pm last night.

"I was sitting in my little tree and I heard these whistles and I saw some torches. It was the most amazing feeling."

The first night in the bush was "freezing" but Mr Coffey was prepared for a second. "I was ready for it. I didn't want to do it, but I was ready," he said from the search base in Upper Hutt last night.

He was very grateful for the efforts of his rescuers. "Seriously those guys are awesome."

He made a "crappy little shelter" using a tree hollow, and stuffed his jacket with ferns to try to keep warm. "I looked like the Michelin man."

He was cold and hungry, but otherwise unhurt.

Between 50 and 60 searchers scoured the area Sunday night and yesterday, Wellington police district operations manager Inspector Mike Wright said. They included Land Search and Rescue volunteers, Greater Wellington regional council staff, rural fire crews and Upper Hutt Community Rescue.

Sergeant Jo Holden, from Wellington Search and Rescue, said Mr Coffey was found in an area of the park known as "the rock garden".

Mr Coffey, married with a two-year-old son, said he was near the middle of the park when he became lost and his Kawasaki trail-bike got caught on a tree root. When he could not move the bike, he left it behind and returned to a main trail to wait for rescue.

"I thought about walking out, but it was impossible, I was too far in, it's a huge park. I knew somebody would come along eventually, it was just a matter of when."

At one point he found a note left for him by searchers. He heard the Westpac rescue helicopter searching for him, but he could not attract attention. "I was waving and waving. It probably didn't help that I was wearing black."

For food he had some cold soup, but had decided against eating bugs. "I was saving that for tomorrow."

Brother-in-law John Coffey helped search yesterday, along with family friends and other trail-bikers. They were all starting to fear the worst, he said. "We're all just elated. The searchers have put in a huge effort. They all deserve a medal."

- © Fairfax NZ News