Search and Rescue Crews and RCMP load 86-year-old Jospeh Kuz into a waiting ambulance to Ste Anne, Manitoba. (Handout)

WINNIPEG -- Myron Lamaga was never in doubt his 86-year-old uncle would be found alive.

On Monday, searchers safely located Winnipegger Joseph Kuz, who had gone missing last week near Hadashville, Man., about 90 km east of Winnipeg.

He survived after spending more than four days alone in the rugged, wet wooded area. He was found within the search area of about five square kilometres just west of Hadashville about 9:30 a.m.

"I always said he's a tough old bear," Lamaga said. "I was very confident he'd make it."

Kuz had gone hiking to look for unique rocks in the area and had planned to walk several kilometres to Lamaga's cottage in the area last Thursday. When he had not been seen by Friday, relatives reported him missing.

Kuz was located in a heavily wooded swamp area by RCMP searchers on ATVs.

Lamaga said Kuz was found along the direct course between his cabin where the 86-year-old began hiking last week. He said the thick bush made the search difficult.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Hengen, who was incident commander for the first two days of the search, found Kuz Monday after the ATV he was riding became stuck and he heard moans.

"I called out to him and went another 40 metres into the bush and that's where I found him," Hengen said. "He was very wet and scraped up. When I identified myself and went to shake his hand, he wouldn't let me go."

Hengen said Kuz was in an area of spruce trees where he had sought shelter.

"We found him lying flat out and he could hardly move," Hengen said. "He was very fatigued and dehydrated and hungry. I don't think he had anything to eat or drink since he went into the bush.

"It's very remarkable he survived. It's unbelievable. But it was his good physical condition and his will to survive."

Hengen said Kuz told him he had walked through areas of knee-deep water and fell down numerous times over his four-day ordeal.

"It's almost impassable," Hengen said of the terrain.

Lamaga said his uncle appeared in good spirits as paramedics checked him over and transported him to hospital in Ste. Anne on Monday.

"He told paramedics his life story, so they found him very talkative," Lamaga said. "After spending four nights in the bush, he looks OK."

RCMP said Kuz was dehydrated and tired after his ordeal, but said he otherwise appeared to be in good health.

It marks the second time in less than a week an elderly Winnipegger has survived being lost in the woods for days.

Last Friday, searchers in Belair Provincial Forest found Nadia Monaco, 66, who had gone missing while out picking wild mushrooms with a group of relatives. The retired grandmother spent almost 48 hours in the forest about 90 km northeast of Winnipeg, surviving by drinking water from streams and swamps and eating mushrooms and berries.

Lamaga said he expects his uncle to be in hospital for a couple days as doctors monitor his condition. Lamaga said Kuz resides in the Canadian Polish Manor seniors' complex in the North End and is generally in good health.

He said he fully expects his uncle to continue hiking.

"I just don't want him to go cross-country any more," Lamaga said. "Maybe just go down the road."

The massive search effort for Kuz involved RCMP search and rescue personnel, the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner, the Department of Natural Resources, local firefighters and volunteers.