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URL: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/s280731.htm LOCATION: abc.net.au URL: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/s280731.htm



Broadcast: 20/4/2001 Miracle Walker A Melbourne man has survived more than a month lost in Tasmania's wilderness. Benjamin Maloney says he lived on wild mushrooms when his supply of rice ran out after 10 days. An extensive police search failed to find the lone bushwalker and his family held a memorial service in his home town of Geelong last weekend. Doctors say it's a miracle Benjamin Maloney survived yet he may be discharged from hospital tomorrow.

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Compere: Tony Jones

Reporter: Airlie Ward



AIRLIE WARD: Benjamin Maloney is tonight in the Royal Hobart Hospital after 35 days lost in Tasmania's south-west.



Soon after emerging from the bush he was examined by staff at the Dover Hospital, south of Hobart.



DR KHAYRAT GIRGIS, DOVER DOCTOR: It is a miracle, really.



He was just, as he said, he was just drinking in the bush.



He didn't eat anything.



He lost, as he said, 20kg of weight.



How he managed it, I don't know, but it happened.



AIRLIE WARD: Police gave up hope of finding Benjamin Maloney alive after an extensive search.



He'd set out on a 12-day trek from Lune River along the South Coast Track to Lake Pedder on March 14 and was reported missing two weeks later.



The 27-year-old had no compass, very little food and clothing, and there's been snow and storms in the area.



He was not an experienced bushwalker, but has been in the army.



Early this morning, the gods smiled.



A much thinner and haggard Ben Maloney stumbled on a group of hikers not far from where he began his trek.



JOEY HAMILTON, RESCUER: This man had walked across the rivulet, just come out of the bush.



MARCUS HAMILTON, RESCUER: He lost complete track of time, he said he spent some time, maybe days just sitting in the one spot.



AIRLIE WARD: Benjamin's supply of food ran out after 10 days, and he survived on wild mushrooms and water.



He told his rescuers he spent most of the time praying for his life.



He lost his bearings after wandering off the track.



He could hear searchers but failed to attract their attention.



His father visited the search area, but had just about given up hope.



GEOFF MALONEY, FATHER: I didn't think he'd get out alive.



But apparently, he must have a bit of Irish blood in him that got him through.



AIRLIE WARD: The family held a memorial service in Geelong last Saturday.



GEOFF MALONEY: I was still hoping but I doubted it very much after being over there and going up in the helicopter on the 1st of April, April Fool's Day, but seeing what rugged terrain they were in.



I didn't think he'd get out alive.



AIRLIE WARD: It's is understood his family is making their way to Hobart tonight.



At 7:00 tonight Benjamin had been admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital, Doctors amazed at his condition.



DR TOM MORTON, ROYAL HOBART HOSPITAL: Miraculous no doubt about it.



He is one of the luckiest people in Australia to be alive today.



AIRLIE WARD: Apart from being dehydrated and emotionally drained.



Doctors say he has got little to show physically for his ordeal.



DR TOM MORTON: He's not distressed, he's emotional, but he's not in any pain.



And he is obviously very relieved to be out.



AIRLIE WARD: Incredibly Benjamin may be discharged as early as tomorrow.



Airlie Ward, Lateline.



