Missing Chiswick Shop Owner Found Alive

Dan Hunt found in a gorge in Swiss Alps after being lost since Saturday

Dan Hunt, the Chiswick shop owner who was missing in the Swiss Alps for almost three days has been found alive.

Dan (33) is reported to be safe and well and was pictured smiling and walking unaided after the rescue.

Dan disappeared on Saturday after setting off with two friends taking part in the sport known as ‘speed flying’.

The alarm was raised when he failed to arrive at the agreed landing site in the Lauterbrunnen mountain area, a favourite with fans of the extreme sport.

He was found shouting for help at about 13:30 local time (12:30 BST) on 18th September in a forested area. Dan White, Hogarth Group Managing Director was amongst those involved the search and rescue party that found Dan, who having been dragged through along a deep gorge and through several waterfalls, suffered a suspected broken ankle.

Dan is the popular owner of the organic food shop on Turnham Green Terrace and is a former resident of Chiswick although he now lives in Shepherd's Bush.

His friends had launched an appeal to pay for a search and rescue mission, and needed to raise £6,000 to pay for dog teams to find his trail.

Speed flying involves skiing with a fast, fabric wing down a steep mountain slope at speeds of up to 75mph. It combines paragliding with skiing and is described as "the ultimate mountain high".

Dan spoke to friends and family back in the UK saying, “I am so grateful, touched, and humbled by all the help…thank you from the bottom of my heart”.

Mr and Mrs Hunt are overwhelmed with the support from friends, family and from the wider community. They are so grateful to everyone who donated their time, money and energies to help find their son.

September 18, 2012