The group stopped near Dinas Rock. Photo: Hywel Williams CC-BY-SA-2.0

A huge search for a missing survival instructor was called off when the man walked up to a television camera crew covering his disappearance.

The outdoor instructor, Steve Walker from Essex, sparked a massive two-day search after he was reported missing in the South of the Brecon Beacons national park.

More than 45 volunteers and police officers braved torrential rain and treacherous conditions to search for the missing man.

Officers from Dyfed Powys Police, four mountain rescue teams, search dog teams and the RAF search and rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor in Devon, were called out after campers raised the alarm at Pontneddfechan, near Neath, in the Brecon Beacons.

The four campers from Romford, Essex, had been on an outdoor survival expedition to the area with 34-year-old instructor Steve Walker, also from Romford.

The group had stopped near Dinas Rock, on the River Mellte, and Mr Walker had told his group to wait for him while he recced the area at 1pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

When he didn’t return they raised the alarm and police along with 45 volunteers from Brecon, Central Beacons and Longtown Mountain Rescue Teams and Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team along with members of the South Wales Search and Rescue Dog Association started the search.

Dave Coombs, deputy team leader, of Brecon MRT, said: “The weather conditions were appalling, with torrential rain and treacherous conditions as the river levels rose.

“We feared he had become trapped in the water and had specialist water rescue teams combing the rivers.”

The search was suspended at 1am today and then resumed once again at first light.

The incident attracted media attention and the missing man finally walked up to a BBC Wales News camera crew in the car park of the Angel Pub, in Pontneddfechan, on Tuesday lunchtime.

Although the survival expert refused an interview, he did accept the crew’s offer of tea and biscuits.

Rescuers said it was unclear where Mr Walker spent the night.

Mr Coombs added: “We are just grateful that the missing gentleman was OK.

“As the hours went past our fears had been increasing for his safety.

“We’d like to pay tribute to all the volunteers from the south Wales teams who gave up time with their families on the bank holiday to take part in this search.”

The operation was co-ordinated by Dyfed-Powys Police and its own officers, dog section and force helicopter were involved.

Inspector Andy Reed added: “I’d like to thank all the volunteers and officers who took part in this rescue, which has thankfully resulted in a successful outcome.”