Eels well that ends well

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REUNITED: Hunter Jacob Costello gets a big hug from a relieved family member on Monday after he went missing in bush near Benneydale on Saturday.

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An Auckland hunter lost for three nights in bush near Benneydale resorted to eating raw eels to stave off hunger before being rescued.

Jacob 'Jake' Costello, 40, had been hunting with a friend in the Pureroa Forest Park on Saturday when the pair became separated.

Sergeant Phil Bell of the Waikato police Search and Rescue Squad said the companion returned into the bush with a friend that afternoon and tried to find him, firing signal shots to no avail.

The companion finally notified police on Sunday lunchtime and search and rescue volunteers from Hamilton and Te Kuiti went into the bush. On Monday they were joined by groups from Taumarunui, Turangi and Thames. In all, more than 65 search and rescue vounteers and an RNZAF Iroquois helicopter were called in.

Mr Costello's family also travelled down on Monday before he was found at the western end of the Pureroa Forest Park in that afternoon.

"We'd found footprints in the bush and where he'd made camp Saturday night," Mr Bell said. "Mr Costello told us he had become separated from his friend early on and lost his pack on the second day which search teams had recovered."

Mr Bell said the hunter had done the right thing by making his way down from rugged bush and following a stream.

Mr Costello, who was equipped with a compass, said he ate raw eel before being found by rescuers.

- © Fairfax NZ News