Missing Hiker From Dorchester Found Alive In NH

LINCOLN, N.H. (CBS) -- A missing hiker from Dorchester was found alive in Lincoln, New Hampshire. According to the N.H. Fish and Game Department, 70-year-old Christopher Staff had been not been heard from since June 24.

Staff was found by other hikers around 7:45 p.m. Friday in the Pemi Wilderness near the intersection of Bondcliff Trail and the Wilderness Trail. Search teams, who had just left the area for the night, returned to help bring Staff to safety.

He was reunited with his family around 10:25 p.m. before being taken to Speare Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

Staff's wife alerted authorities that he was missing around 11 p.m. Monday, two hours after he was expected home. Search teams have been looking for him ever since.

At this time, Staff's whereabouts during the last four days is unknown, the N.H. Fish and Game said.

Hiker Chris Calabrese also stumbled upon him during a hike. " He was sitting on a log with his hood over his head and his head down," Calabrese said.

Local pastor Fr. Robert Casey, Staff's brother-in-law, released a statement on behalf of his family: "We are so grateful that Chris was found alive Friday night. Any time someone comes out of the White Mountains National Forest after being lost for four days – I believe it is a miracle. Chris is now slowly recovering in a hospital in New Hampshire. We want to thank the New Hampshire Fish and Game, the New Hampshire Army National Guard, and the hundreds of volunteer rescue teams that spent the last four days searching for Chris and eventually rescued him after two young hikers found him. The hope-filled thoughts and prayers of so many over the last few days have made all the difference to his family and friends. It is truly miraculous that he survived, and we are thanking God for giving Chris and all of us strength and hope."

Staff is expected to make a full recovery.

Neighbor Bill Evans said he's not surprised Staff survived his ordeal. "He's a tenacious sort."