Weipa QLD police are coordinating a land, air and river
search for 42-year-old Anthony Vanharen missing in the Mission River area.
Anthony’s boat was located washed ashore and unattended at
around 12 midday today (May 2) by police at Winning Point – the northern
side of the Mission River, east of the Mission River Bridge, Weipa.
Police investigations indicate Anthony rang family on April
29 and officer’s have an unconfirmed sighting of Anthony on his boat close
to the above location on the afternoon of Thursday, April 30.
Police would like to speak with anyone who may have come into
contact with Anthony or his boat –a white 4.8 metre Quintrex (see image) –
at Winning Point between April 30 and May 2.
The search area incorporates thick bushland and vegetation,
swamp and river areas with searches on foot, on the water and from the air
undertaken today.
Assets have included Rescue 700 helicopter, Volunteer Marine
Rescue vessel, SES members and police on foot and ATV’s.
The search will resume tomorrow morning.
Anthony is described as Caucasian, approximately 180cms tall
with a thin to proportionate build, long shoulder length brown hair
(sometimes worn in a ponytail).
Anyone with any information in relation to Anthony’s
whereabouts is asked to immediately contact police.
Croc attack suspected in disappearance of Anthony Vanharen as search for
Allan Cook is called off
Two missing men in Far North Queensland have both been presumed dead
by authorities, with one man feared to have been taken by a
3.5-metre crocodile.
Police have made the tough decision to end the search for
59-year-old Allan Cook who went missing from Port Douglas.
While authorities believe 42-year-old Anthony Vanharen, who went
missing near Weipa, was taken by a crocodile which had been sighted
in the area.
Mr Vanharen was last seen on his boat at Winning Point near Weipa on
the April 30, but it was found washed ashore and unattended two days
later.
Police believe he might have been attacked while trying to move his
vessel.
"We suspect Mr Vanharen has been taken by a 3.5-metre crocodile that
has been sighted in the area," Far North Assistant District Officer
Mark Lingwood said.
Weipa Police Acting Inspector Kevin Goan revealed the Department of
Environment and Science had been called in to assist with investigations.
"There are a number of crocodiles identified within the area so it's
up to the experts to suggest possible courses of action by those
animals at the time," Mr Goan said.
Meanwhile, two police divers have conducted their final search of
the Dickson Inlet at Port Douglas in the hope of locating Mr Cook's
body.
The 59-year-old was last seen on April 9 and reported missing on May
1 after his family were unable to contact him.
Police say Mr Cook was spotted on CCTV walking along a jetty before
falling off and being washed away by a high tide.
"These are our last efforts…we've had those difficult discussions
with the family. Arrangements will be made for the family to come to
Cairns once the travel restrictions are lifted," Mr Lingwood said.
