on a mountainside in Nevis for a week a "true survivor'' Bermuda hotelier David Dodwell welcomed news the man had been found yesterday.

Anton Tomazic, 50, a guest at Mr. Dodwell's Nisbett Plantation Beach Club on Nevis, was found by a farm worker yesterday morning.

Mr. Tomazic had not drank water for the entire week -- only his own urine -- and had stopped eating coconut palm leaves after he became ill.

Now news organisations from around the world are making their way to the twin island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis to interview the experienced hiker to find out how he survived two falls into 60-foot caves and a week without water.

Mr. Dodwell, Bermuda's Shadow Tourism Minister and owner of the Reefs in Southampton, said last night: "The people that I've been talking to say that it is nothing short of a miracle.

"He's very fit for sure -- he lost 20 pounds of his body weight -- and he might not otherwise have survived,'' Mr. Dodwell continued. "He fell into a cave and became disoriented and he said once he had climbed out he heard a helicopter but could not attract its attention.

"Everyone was out looking for him. The regiment, Police, guests and staff and locals. He credits his survival to his desire to see his family again, he puts it down to his will to live and faith in God.'' Mr. Dodwell added: "As you can expect he was very dehydrated and drinking up a storm back at the hotel.'' According to the Associated Press, Mr. Tomazic was dehydrated and had a few abrasions and was taken to a hospital for treatment, said Police Supt. Nelson Stapleton.

Tomazic left the hotel on February 28 to hike the rugged mountains on Nevis.

He was found near a village about five miles south of the hotel, at the base of the mountains, police said, but the details of how he found him were not yet clear.

Tomazic told police he fell into two holes while hiking and was trapped in one for what he believed to be five days, by which time he was disoriented, Stapleton said. He survived on water and bread he had packed, police said.

Rescuers combed the island since his wife reported him missing since he did not return that first night.

A lawyer, Tomazic, is an experienced hiker, his wife told police. She posted a US $4,000 reward for anyone finding him.

Police have not released the name of the man who found Tomazic and did not know Tomazic's hometown in Slovenia.

The Nevis Peak is a 3,232-foot high inactive volcano that sits in the centre of the 36-square-mile island, and is a popular attraction for hikers.

Mr. Dodwell concluded: "While this has proven he is an experienced hiker, he did refuse the Nesbitt Plantation's suggestion of a guide. They were desperately trying to convince him to take a guide.

"It is walkable and there are trails but this was a testament to his capabilities,'' he said. "I'm just glad he made it, I have to admit this would not have been good for Nevis' nature tourism. But he's a true survivor.''