Missing Wollongong man found in bushland - Illawarra mercury

A 55-year-old man who went missing for more than 24 hours in bushland near Austinmer was found by SES volunteers on Wednesday.

The volunteers came across Arno Badziong on the Gibson’s Track, which runs between Sublime Point and Austinmer, about 1.30pm.

There had been no contact with him since he had talked to family on Tuesday.

Mr Badziong had suffered mild hypothermia and minor injuries.

SES Deputy Unit Controller Ryan Sikk said the discovery  was a great result.

 ‘‘There [were] three teams out there with him on the Gibson’s Track transporting him to an ambulance,’’ he said. ‘‘There was a paramedic with them, treating him on site.’’

About 30 SES volunteers and 10 police officers, including dogs, were involved in the search at its peak on Tuesday night.

One volunteer, who did not want to be identified, said Mr Badziong was ‘‘in good spirits, just a bit cold’’.

 ‘‘We carried him out on a stretcher – he was just dozing in and out of sleep.’’

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Emergency services carry out Arno Badziong after he was found on the Gibson Track. Picture: KIRK GILMOUR