Journalist finds father and son missing in New Zealand

A journalist covering the story of a missing father and son in a New Zealand national park made an incredible discovery, finding them just a few kilometres from the rescue centre.

Luisa Girao, from the Otago Daily Times, was in Fiordland National Park in New Zealand’s South Island to report on the search for 49-year-old Alan Mortimore and his 14-year-old son Danny.

The pair were reported missing earlier this week after they failed to return from a hunting trip near Lake Hauroko on Saturday night.

Although emergency crews had been dispatched to search for the pair, fears were growing heading into day three of the search, with overnight temperatures plummeting and thunderstorms forecast in the area.

Miraculously, the father and son were located after Ms Girao spotted them walking up a remote road just a few kilometres from where the rescue centre had been set up.

“I can’t believe it,” she told the Otago Daily Times, admitting she was shocked she was the one to find them as there was over 30 people involved in the search.

The Otago Daily Times reported the father and son had scratches and cuts to their legs but were otherwise in good condition, adding they survived by drinking water from a creek and eating bars and fruit they had in their bags.

Danny had twisted his ankle and Alan had become disorientated, the publication said.

Fiordland National Park is one of the largest national parks in the world, covering an area of 12,000 square km.

Italian journalist finds missing toddler

The story echos a heartwarming discovery made by an Italian journalist in 2021, who found a missing toddler several kilometres from the boy’s home on his way to report on his disappearance.

The 21-month-old boy went missing from his bedroom in Palazzuolo sul Senio, a town northeast of Florence in Italy.

The child’s parents told investigations that their son, Nicola Tanturli, was put to bed at about 7pm on Monday night and didn’t realise he was missing until midnight.

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Journalist Giuseppe Di Tommaso, a reporter with Italian broadcaster Rai, was on his way to Nicola’s home on Wednesday morning when he heard moans coming from a gorge by a road.

After informing police, a lieutenant found Nicola at the bottom of a 50-metre ravine.

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