A London businessman missing for nearly four days in the Swiss Alps was today found by his friend.
Dan Hunt, 33, who had been taking part in the extreme sport of “speed flying”, was discovered by his friend Nadeem Al-Khafaji in a deep crevasse and was pulled to safety.
Mr Hunt got into difficulties shortly after taking off with two friends on Saturday and had been left stranded when he suffered a suspected broken ankle on landing.
Mr Hunt, from Shepherd’s Bush and who has an organic food shop in Turnham Green, is now undergoing medical examinations after three nights stuck on the mountain in freezing conditions. Friends said Mr Hunt was in hospital but did not appear to have any life-threatening injuries.
Mr Hunt’s long-term girlfriend Nadia Niznanska said: “We are all ecstatic, relieved and overjoyed. The nightmare is finally over. I never stopped believing he was okay. He’s such a trooper.”
Friend Kara De Los Reyes, whose boyfriend Tim Good was with Mr Hunt on the speed-flying trip, said: “I have been jumping around and crying, we cannot believe it. We thought that if anyone could come out of this alive then Dan could, but of course time was against us. Apparently he was able to walk but we are not sure yet if he has any injuries.”
Best friend Pedro Pimentel said: “This is the best day of my life. I was trying to be positive but also fearing the worst. I have been a climber for 20 years and in these situations you have to keep going.”
Laura Saunders said: “I am elated. We all stuck together and it is truly humbling that all his friends and family came together in this way.
Mr Hunt is a popular member of the extreme sports community and following his disappearance his friends launched an appeal to fund a search and rescue operation.
They raised more than £14,000 for a dog team, canyoning experts, helicopter flights and other resources after Mr Hunt’s insurance company discontinued its payments.
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Eight volunteers also flew to Switzerland to help in the search. Among the helpers were those from Germany and France and the internationally renowned climber Ueli Steck who searched the glacial valley.
Mr Hunt was in the Lauterbrunnen mountain area, a favourite of speed fliers. The sport involves hurtling down a mountain at up to 75mph on a lightweight parachute.
