A 14-hour ordeal for off-roader Michael Reid ended at around 2.30pm yesterday after he was found unharmed by emergency services in Canunda National Park.
It was a successful conclusion to a search which involved dozens of emergency services staff in the rugged terrain.
Police summoned the SA Ambulance Service to the scene to conduct a preliminary medical assessment of Mr Reid and he was taken to hospital for treatment of dehydration.
Adverse weather conditions had hampered the initial search yesterday for the 37-year-old man who became stranded in the park west of Millicent on Tuesday night.
The amount of cloud cover initially ruled out the use by PolAir of either helicopters or fixed wing aircraft in yesterday’s search for the stranded motorist.
A five-hour land search began at 11.30pm on Tuesday and was led by Limestone Coast Police officer in charge Superintendent Grant Moyle.
Using police and Millicent State Emergency Service personnel, it focused on the beaches and dunes between the former Canunda council dump and Carpenter Rocks.
After a break of a few hours, police resumed the probe, assisted by SES personnel from the Millicent, Mount Gambier and Meningie SES units.
Just before 1pm yesterday, Mr Reid’s abandoned vehicle was found bogged in the vicinity of the Whale Rock lookout.
Further resources including an Adelaide-based PolAir helicopter and National Parks personnel were deployed to the area.
Millicent Police Acting Sergeant Rick Errington said mobile phone records had been accessed and it could be determined where Mr Reid had last phoned on Tuesday.
Sgt Errington said the number of SES searchers which could be mobilised was restricted as some SES personnel had to be held in reserve in the event of other weather-related incidents.
It is believed the missing man’s vehicle broke down on Tuesday evening.
Police were called to the Canunda National Park later that night after a relative of Mr Reid contacted police stating they had received a phone call from him saying he had vehicle trouble.
He was driving a black four-wheel drive Land Rover Discovery.
There are numerous areas in Canunda National Park where there is no mobile phone reception.
There have been low temperatures, strong winds and heavy rain across much of the district in recent days.
