Missing mountain runner found

A runner missing in the Tararua Range since Saturday has been found safe and well.

Mountain runner Alastair Shelton, 33, of Titahi Bay, Porirua, failed to return from his run on the Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit track. He was found with just a suspected broken toe about 11am today after a major search and rescue operation.

The weather had been a major concern, with freezing temperatures through the night. Shelton was wearing just a singlet, black shorts, lycra tights and running shoes and had a small backpack.

Constable Pete Cunningham of Masterton police said Shelton was "really lucky".

"He was a bit cold when we found him but apart from that he's fine."

An Air Force paramedic gave him a check-up and it was unlikely he would need further medical attention.

Meanwhile, police confirmed last night that a 52-year-old Greytown man died after his inflatable boat flipped on the Waiohine River, also in the Tararua Range, about 3pm yesterday.

He was found dead in the water by a rescue helicopter crew, downstream from his two companions, who were both recovered alive.

Rescue teams tried to revive the man, but it was too late. A male companion made it to safety and a woman was rescued two hours later by a jet boat crew.

The man's family was being contacted last night, and he was expected to be named today.

Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson, of Masterton, said it had been a "pretty hard day" for police involved in two difficult searches yesterday.

Elsewhere, Tasman police were unable to search yesterday for missing Palmerston North tramper Alistair Levy, due to bad weather. Levy has been missing for a week.