Australian pair survive for days lost in outback

Two people have survived days without water in Australia's hot and dusty outback, police said yesterday, ending a frenzied five-day rescue effort.

Shaun Emitja. 21, and Mahesh Patrick, 14, were reported missing on Tuesday in the Harts Range area.

The pair were feared to be in grave danger given a lack of water and the area's extreme temperatures.

But Northern Territory police said yesterday that the two men were found alive and well by an "absolute miracle".