Concern grew for Alec Luhn, a reporter based in London who has worked for titles including the New York Times and the Guardian, after the 38-year-old man went missing in Norway
A journalist who went missing nearly one week ago after hiking in bad weather has miraculously been found alive.
Alec Luhn, 38, spent days alone in the wilderness in a remote national park in Norway – somehow surviving on very little to no food – after vanishing during the trek. When the reporter, who has worked for titles including the New York Times and the Guardian, missed his flight back to London, his family alerted authorities who spent days searching for the man.
And following a massive search of the Nordic park, Mr Luhn was found alive, albeit with a serious leg injury, which he suffered the first day he set out. His miracle reflects that of a man from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who was recently discovered weeks after he vanished in Paris.
In relation to Mr Luhn, Stig Hope, head of the operations leadership team at Folgefonna and a Red Cross volunteer, said: “I can’t remember us finding someone alive after so many days. The search doesn’t always end like this – but today, it did. It is a huge relief for everyone who’s been part of the effort.”
The journalist was supposed to fly to the UK on Monday from Bergen, a city around 40 miles northwest of Folgefonna National Park, where he was trekking. He had last spoken to his wife the previous Thursday, July 31, to inform her of his itinerary.
And so the situation looked bleak when Mr Luhn was reported missing, a following huge team effort, the tourist was located – despite bad weather persisting. Upon assessing Mr Luhn, Geir Arne Sunde, the head of the local air ambulance service and trauma centre, said: “He is seriously injured, but not critically injured.”
Folgefonna National Park is a desolate 136,000 acre park which is home to one of the country’s biggest glaciers. Mr Luhn was there exploring the vast landscape with his sister, it is believed.
Tatjana Knappen, an operations manager from Vestland police, said: “Weather conditions started to get really bad around midnight. It was not reasonable to continue the search up in the mountains.”
Speaking before the rescue, Mr Luhn’s wife said: “I just really want him back. I can’t sleep or eat properly. It’s very hard not to know anything.”
Folgefonna National Park is known for being a popular challenge for hikers who fly in from all over the world to conquer the difficult terrain and admire its natural beauty.