Jessica Dart and rescued hiker Hadi Nazari broke down in tears and embraced when his struggle for survival had finally come to an end.
The 23-year-old was found by a bushwalking group near Blue Lake in NSW's Kosciuszko National Park on Wednesday, 13 days after he went missing in rugged terrain.
Ms Dart, one of those hikers, couldn't believe they had found Mr Nazari alive.
"I started crying, he started crying ... hugging each other," she told reporters outside the Cooma hospital where the Melbourne student was being treated.
"I was like, oh my god, I can't believe you're safe and sound. And he's like, saying, 'thank you god'.
"You guys are angels."
Mr Nazari's cousin Hussain Ali said the hiker's parents in Melbourne were "very happy, they were thankful to God" but not once had the family lost hope.
"I was the first person he saw and he just came out of the van and ran towards me and hugged me," he said.
"We were all surprised and shocked at how fit and healthy he was after 13 days.
"When we found him, he was keen to go for another hike."
Friends and family arrived from Melbourne and Sydney to search for him.
"We were sure that he's a fighter, he'll fight to the end," Mr Ali said.
Mr Nazari was winched to the search command post and treated for dehydration before being taken to Cooma hospital.
A health service spokeswoman said he was in good spirits but indicated it could be days before he is discharged.
The medical student's injuries include blistering all over his feet and scratches.
In a statement released through NSW Police, Mr Nazari thanked all involved in his rescue.
"I would like to thank all of the emergency services personnel for their tireless work searching for 13 days in tough conditions, to locate me," he said.
"I would also like to thank members of the public, family and friends for their well wishes and prayers."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Mr Nazari's return was "fantastic news and "quite remarkable".
Joshua Dart, part of the group who found him, shared a photo with the message: "Thank God we found the missing hiker on our hike in Kosciuszko!"
NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet said Mr Nazari was found about 10km from the Geehi campground near where he was last seen.
Studying to become a neurosurgeon at Melbourne University, Mr Nazari told police he had barely eaten anything apart from two muesli bars and some berries he foraged.
He drank fresh water from creeks and had been walking "from morning to night", police said.
In a statement on behalf of the family, sister Zahra Nazari said they were relieved he was safe and sound.
"We are grateful for everyone involved in helping us find my brother," the family said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns described it as the "first good news story of 2025".
He said the case highlighted the need for all hikers to ensure they had communications devices and extra food and water.
Mr Nazari was reported missing on Boxing Day after failing to turn up to Geehi campground.
He had last been seen descending the Hannels Spur trail between Khancoban and Thredbo on December 26.
His disappearance sparked a multi-agency air and ground search that involved up to 400 people.
