16 Sep 2012

Man's body retrieved from Urewera's

5:05 pm on 16 September 2012

The body of a man who collapsed while walking in the Urewera Ranges has been retrieved.

The 52-year-old was walking with two 11-year-old boys in the ranges near Ruatahuna, when he collapsed on Saturday afternoon.

The two boys walked out to raise the alarm.

The man's body was retrieved on Sunday afternoon by four-wheel drive.

And three walkers who got lost near Lake Rotoiti on Saturday have also been found.

The trio raised the alarm on Saturday evening when they couldn't find their way out because of high bluffs, darkness and rain.

Police praised the group for having a cellphone with them, which meant they could call for help.