Rescued hiker Hadi Nazari thanks search crews as details emerge of the moment he found group in Kosciuszko National Park
In short:
Joshua Dart was hiking with friends when they stumbled upon missing bushwalker Hadi Nazari alive in Kosciuszko National Park.
Mr Nazari was found in good spirits and shed a few tears with the hiking group, and then immediately called his mother on a borrowed phone.
In a statement, Mr Nazari thanked everyone for their efforts in the search. He is recovering at Cooma Hospital.
Joshua Dart will always remember the moment he and his hiking group found missing bushwalker Hadi Nazari alive in Kosciuszko National Park.
He and his group of friends were on day one of their hike and admiring the views when they heard someone calling for assistance.
"My mate James looked down towards the shouting and we shouted back. We heard him [Mr Nazari] saying, 'I need help'," he said.
"When we realised it was him, I couldn't believe it. We were just emotional, we were crying and he was in tears."
Hadi Nazari had been missing in Kosciuszko National Park for 13 days before he was found. (Supplied: Joshua Dart)
Mr Nazari was found on Wednesday afternoon after being missing in the NSW Snowy Mountains since Boxing Day.
Search efforts to find the 23-year-old man from Melbourne had been extensive over the past two weeks.
Mr Nazari thanks search crews
In a statement via Southern NSW Local Health District, Mr Nazari thanked everyone for their efforts in the search.
"I would like to thank everyone who has wished me well in my recovery, and prayed for me," he said.
"I am very grateful for the rescuers and volunteers involved in searching for me, may God bless them all.
"I cannot thank everyone enough."
Officials confirmed that Mr Nazari remained at Cooma Hospital and was being treated for dehydration.
"He is in good spirits and recovering well and is expected to be discharged within the next few days," they said.
Hiker Hadi Nazari's discovery has been described as a "miracle" by a family friend. (ABC News)
'He'd lost track of time'
One of the members of Mr Dart's hiking group had seen the missing person alert and picture of Mr Nazari circulating online that morning.
"It was fresh in our head," said Mr Dart, though he said his group weren't actively searching for the missing bushwalker but rather stumbled upon him.
Mr Nazari was found at 3:15pm off the circuit walk near Blue Lake.
He managed to survive off foraged berries, creek water and two muesli bars he found in a hut.
"We offered him water and a little bit of food. He called his family on another phone, and I called triple-0," said Mr Dart, a 30-year-old from NSW's Central Coast.
"He was in such good spirits and was just saying, 'praise God'. He was scratched up, he was sunburnt — but he was good."
Josh Dart said Hadi Nazari was in good spirits when he and his hiking party come across him. (ABC News: Adriane Reardon)
Mr Nazari told the group he had accidentally become lost and separated from his friends on Boxing Day.
He initially wasn't aware of just how long he had been missing for.
"He was saying seven days. He'd lost track of time," said Mr Dart.
"He really had good survival instincts."
Sister 'over the moon'
Zahra Nazari, Mr Nazari's sister, said she was "over the moon, very happy, very grateful" when she heard from him.
"Happiest moment of my life, literally," she said.
"Couldn't ask God for anything better than that."
Ms Nazari spoke to her brother on Thursday afternoon.
"He's doing well, he's recovering," she said.
"Obviously, he's dehydrated so he needs, I think, some more time [in hospital]."
Zahra Nazari says hearing from her brother was the "happiest moment" of her life. (Supplied)
In a statement, Ms Nazari thanked those who worked tirelessly to find her brother.
"I stand before you today with a heart full of relief, thankfulness, gratitude and profound appreciation for remarkable work done by the search and rescue team to find my brother," she said.
After thanking emergency services and those who sent support and well wishes to her family, she gave a special mention to the group of hikers who helped extract her brother.
"I would like to thank the group of hikers who reached Hadi yesterday," she said.
"They are literally angels sent from the sky on the earth for Hadi."
When asked about what she would do when her brother came home, she said she would "hug him, and give him a lot of love and kisses, and make him whatever he likes to eat".
Mr Nazari called his mum immediately
Maisum Jafari, a friend of Mr Nazari's, said all of his loved ones were "very happy" and had held onto "high hopes".
"We are ecstatic, over the moon … I was getting worried that he wasn't where the cops thought he would be, around the water," he told ABC Radio Sydney.
Mr Jafari said that upon his friend making contact with the group of hikers, Mr Nazari was able to borrow a phone and call his mother.
"From our understanding, Hadi called his mum and was on the phone… at that point NSW Police were not actually aware.
"So then my sister actually called the commander and then they sent the helicopter there to winch him up."
Maisum Jafari (pictured left) and many of Mr Nazari's other friends had joined the search to find the missing bushwalker. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
He was winched to the search command post approximately 30 minutes after being found by the group of hikers, and then was reunited with his family and assessed by paramedics.
ABC reporters at the scene said cheers could be heard across the campground as news of his survival spread.
'We were all surprised and shocked how fit and healthy he was'
Hussain Ali, Mr Nazari's cousin, recalled seeing the 23-year-old emerge from the bush for the first time.
"When he saw me — I was the first person he saw — and he just came out of the way and then ran towards me and hugged me," he said.
"And we were all surprised and shocked how fit and healthy he was after 13 days.”
Mr Ali said everyone was adamant Mr Nazari was still alive as "he's a fighter".
“We knew we’ll find him, he’ll be in safe hands," he said.
"God will protect him. We had faith in God that he’ll be fine.”
Hussain Ali recalled seeing his cousin emerge from the bush and hug him. (ABC South East NSW: Floss Adams)
Besides "a few minor scratches" and "blisters", Mr Ali said his cousin had no injuries.
He said his cousin even joked about going for another hike.
“When we found him, and he was keen to go for another hike, and I was like, ‘Nah mate, no more hiking for you, that was it’,' he said.
He added that Mr Nazari's family, who have since returned to Melbourne, were hoping their son would come home soon.
"Everyone is waiting for him back home, so hopefully today," he said.
Once he feels ready, police said they hope to speak with Mr Nazari to "debrief on his experience".
"We were finding bits and pieces as we went along," NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet told ABC Radio Sydney.
Mr Nazari was taken to Cooma Hospital on Wednesday night at around 7:30pm. (ABC News)
"He also saw helicopters above him at times but was unable to get their attention.
"When you're out there searching for someone whose life may well be at risk, it's very very important that you keep going, stay positive, and stay hopeful," Superintendent Spliet said.
"The family can rest easy."
'It's just a miracle'
For the group of hikers, they are thankful to have contributed to Mr Nazari's reunion with his loved ones.
"I was up all night thinking about it, I didn't get any sleep. It's just a miracle and I'm so grateful for the family and for him to get out," Mr Dart said.
"He really kind of rescued himself, we just happened to be there at the right place."