Wollumbin: Missing hiker Csaba Varga found alive after four-day search
A missing hiker has been found alive, feeling a “bit sore and sorry for himself” after walking up to 10km in heavy terrain, following an extensive four-day search on the far North Coast.
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A missing hiker has been found alive, feeling “a bit sore and sorry for himself” after walking up to 10km in heavy terrain, following an extensive four-day search on the Northern Rivers.
Csaba Varga from Townsville, Queensland, was reported missing on Saturday while he was hiking at Wollumbin.
The 54-year-old spoke to a friend that night, telling him he was lost in the Wollumbin
National Park.
Tweed/Byron police, NSW Ambulance, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, NSW State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service and VRA searched for him and found his car nearby on Sunday.
Chief Inspector David Silverside from the Tweed/Byron Police District announced on Wednesday Mr Varga had been found “alive and well”.
Mr Varga was spotted by a passerby walking along Tyalgum Rd about 12.30pm.
“We are very pleased with being able to locate him alive today,” Inspector Silverside said. “He was in pretty good condition considering.”
Police estimate Mr Varga walked up to 10km through heavy terrain while he was lost.
Inspector Silverside said Mr Varga was expected to be released from Murwillumbah District Hospital shortly with a few cuts on his arms and legs.
“It’s very very heavy bushland, quite mountainous,” he said.
He said the hiker followed creeks which led him to Tylugum Rd.
Inspector Silverside said Mr Varga’s “presence of mind” contributed to his survival, however he was feeling “a bit sore and sorry for himself”.
He said Mr Varga came to NSW for a business meeting on Friday before going on a hike the next day.
Wollumbin is closed to the public and the tracks are overgrown in areas.
Monday, December 9: Hiker missing, car found near sacred mountain
Police are searching for a missing hiker at Wollumbin, previously known as Mt Warning, on the state’s North Coast.
Queensland man Csaba Varga is believed to have been hiking at Wollumbin when he was last heard from about 9.30pm on Saturday.
The 54-year-old spoke to a friend that night, telling him he was lost in the Wollumbin National Park, police were told.
When Mr Varga was not able to be contacted on Sunday morning, police from the Tweed/Byron Police District began investigating his whereabouts.
Officers found Mr Varga’s vehicle in the carpark.
On Monday local police are being helped by NSW Ambulance, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, NSW SES, RFS and VRA to find him.
Mr Varga has a Caucasian appearance, is 180-185cm tall, has a medium build with grey hair, facial hair and blue eyes.
Wollumbin is highly significant to Aboriginal people, particularly the Bundjalung nation and visitors have been asked to not climb the summit track, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service state.
Know anything? Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Got a news tip? Email savannah.pocock@news.com.au
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