Missing Fishermen, Boaters, Swimmers & Bushwalkers

Lots of people go missing while swimming and fishing in various water areas. Bushwalkers also often go missing. Quite often their names are not released but I have created a special page for them here in case members of the public live nearby and may come across them or can help with the searches. Most recent stories will be at the top of the page. When they are located, I will remove the stories from this page altogether. If they are not located and their names released, they will be moved to the still missing pages.

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NSW Police have produced a brochure called THINK BEFORE YOU TREK with excellent suggestions to keep you safe and prevent you getting lost while bushwalking, you can view the brochure online by clicking on this link -

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/142683/trek_dl_brochure.pdf

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Search to continue for missing swimmer - Far North Coast

Tuesday, 11 May 2010 09:54pm

NSW Police and other emergency services will continue a search tomorrow for an American national, reported missing while swimming at Tallows Beach, near Byron Bay, on the state’s Far North Coast.

Around 12.20pm today (Tuesday 11 May), the 32-year-old man went to the beach with two friends for a swim.

Whilst his friends were surfing, the swimmer disappeared.

The pair searched the surf before stopping council rangers who were driving along the beach.

Together they continued to search the water and beachfront for the man, without success.

Around 1.15pm, emergency services were contacted and police from the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command led a larger search operation, also involving jet ski riders from Surf Rescue, NSW Ambulance Service personnel, the Lifesaver 4 helicopter and Brunswick Sea Rescue.

The man was not located and the search will resume around 7.30am tomorrow.

Anyone with information about the man’s disappearance is urged to contact Byron Bay Police on (02) 6685 9499 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Senior police commend rescued bushwalkers – Blue Mountains

Saturday, 27 Mar 2010 10:12pm

Senior police have commended the wisdom of two bushwalkers rescued in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.

Around 8am today (Saturday 27 March), a 58-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman set off into Wollangambe Canyon within the Blue Mountains National Park.

Two hours later, the man slipped over, breaking his knee on rocks.

Fortunately, prior to the bushwalk, the man notified relatives of their proposed route and estimated timings.

The pair was also equipped with a Personal Location Beacon which they activated, alerting authorities.

Police from the Blue Mountains Local Area Command spoke to the man’s relatives and confirmed the pair’s travel plans.

At the same time, Blue Mountains Police Rescue and a NSW Ambulance helicopter were dispatched to the scene.

The pair was quickly located, winched to the chopper and airlifted to the Mount Wilson Rural Fire Service station.

The man was transferred to the Nepean Hospital for treatment.

North West Metropolitan Region Commander Denis Clifford said the rescue of the two hikers highlights the importance of providing friends and/or relatives with travel plans and carrying Personal Location Beacons.

"As we have seen all too often, this afternoon's events could have had a potentially tragic outcome," Assistant Commissioner Clifford said.

"This man and woman did the right thing by leaving a plan of their trip with relatives and taking a beacon with them

"They are to be commended for listening to the warnings and following the advice of police and national parks personnel."

Think Before You Trek is a bush safety initiative between the NSW Police Force and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It aims to provide bushwalkers and adventurers in the Blue Mountains with a free loaned Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

Every year around 130 bushwalkers get lost and/or require rescuing.

Most walkers are found within 24hrs, but occasionally a weekend adventure can turn to tragedy.

Between 2004 and 2007 nearly 400 people were reported missing in the Blue Mountains and surrounding area, which led to 200 search and rescue operations.

The Blue Mountains National Park covers over a quarter of a million hectares of land and has Australia's largest network of walking tracks covering over 250 kilometres.

It is also NSW's busiest park with an estimated four million visitors a year.

Much of the park is remote and difficult to access, except via foot, this makes it extremely attractive to bushwalkers from all over the world.

Think before you TREK promotes the benefits of planning ahead for your bushwalking trip by using an easy to remember acronym:

T - Take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation and first aid equipment.
R - Register your planned route and tell friends and family when you expect to return.
E - Emergency beacon (PLB's) are available free of charge from NSW Police Force and NPWS.
K - Keep to your planned route and follow the map and walking trails.

Personal Location Beacons (PLBs)

The PLBs donated by Benbro Electronics are available from November 2008 on loan from the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre at Blackheath, and after hours at the Katoomba or Springwood Police Stations.

The PLB units are part of the new digital system which sends more information when an emergency beacon is activated. This offers the advantage of precise location information from the inbuilt GPS as well a unique identifying number so rescue authorities can send the appropriate resources more quickly.

Kosciusko National Park also hires out PLBs to bushwalkers for a small fee - contact the Tumut, Khancoban and Jindabyne NPWS offices for more information.

Personal satellite tracking devices or PLB's (Personal Location Beacons) are for emergency situations only.

BUSHWALKING TIPS

Contact the park office or local visitor centre to ask about local conditions, tracks, creek or river water levels and fire danger. National parks offices and visitor centres throughout the Blue Mountains have experienced staff who have a wide knowledge of the local area.

Leave full details of your planned walk with a relative or a responsible person. Include details about where you will be going, who is with you, what equipment you have, and when you expect to return.

You can download a trip intention form to register your walk with the police or National Parks and Wildlife Services.

Allow plenty of time to finish the activity in daylight, and pack extra food and water in case of unexpected delays.

Weather can sometimes change quickly so walkers should be prepared for heat, rain and cold. Check the Bureau of Meteorology website for the latest weather forecast.

At the very least, we advise that you carry:
1. matches
2. topographic map(s)
3. a compass
4. a space blanket
5. a first aid kit
6. raincoats for everyone in the group
7. plenty of water

If possible try to have at least four people in your group. If there is an emergency, two can go for help, while the other stays with the injured or ill person.

Make sure there's at least one experienced person in the group who can guide and assist others.

Make sure your activity is something which all participants in your group are able to do.

Gyrocopter 'survivor' missing despite call

From: AAP
March 23, 2010 9:38AM - Herald Sun

A MAN who called police to say he'd survived a gyrocopter crash has failed to meet up with officers sent to rescue him.

A land and air search has resumed for the man, who phoned police yesterday to say his gyrocopter had gone down near Weipa on Sunday.

The 43-year-old told officers he was safe and would be walking out of bushland onto the Peninsula Development Road, but officers sent to meet him say he did not show up.

Crews on the ground and in the air searched for the Weipa man yesterday but did not find him.

The hunt resumed at first light today.

'Sinking boat' likely to be $100K hoax

By Matthew Schulz
From: Herald Sun
March 18, 2010 2:38PM

A $100,000 air and sea search trigged by a mayday for a sinking boat will be shortly scaled back by Victorian authorities who now suspect it may be a hoax.

The Herald Sun reports searchers had resumed their hunt for three children and two adults after what appeared to be a desperate mayday call from a sinking five-metre boat off the Gippsland town of Loch Sport.

Water police Acting Sen-Sgt Steve Towers expected the massive search of 150 sq nm around Loch Sport would be significantly reduced by midday, unless any signs were found.

“We’re considering it to be a hoax call,” Sen-Sgt Towers said.

He said the search had so far cost at least $100,000 and involved more than 50 people, six water vessels and aircraft used by the coast guard, air ambulance and Police Airwing, plus two helicopters used to ferry oil rig workers.

He said after a close sweep of the seas and land in which high-visibility meant searchers could “see feathers in the water”, no sign of diesel, lifejackets and debris or unattended trailers and vehicles had been found.

And he said no-one had reported any missing persons.

“We’ve gone full metal,” Sen-Sgt Towers said.

He said if proved to be a hoax, authorities would not hesitate to press criminal charges.

Friday 05-Feb-2010 (1420 hrs CST)

Search – Update #1 -Alice Springs

The search for a woman believed to have been involved in a car crash near Alice Springs in the early hours of yesterday has been called off.

Northern Territory Police and Australian Federal Police conducted ground searches of the area surrounding the airport after a report was received around 1am from the woman claiming to be lost and in distress after her car apparently hit a kangaroo. The woman told police she could see the lights of the airport then the mobile phone went dead.
Senior Constable Trevor Howie said police then continued searching by ground and air for the rest of the day however they were unable to locate the woman.

“We also had NTES volunteers assisting in the search and they were deployed to conduct ground searches around Alice Springs signs and as air spotters in the helicopter,” Sen Const Howie said.

“The area identified by Telstra as being the source of the phone call has been completely covered without any sign of a crashed vehicle or anyone apparently wandering in the bush. Everything that could be done has been, so this morning the search has officially been called off. We will, however, continue to investigate the incident to try to identify the mobile phone that was used in the call, and then, hopefully be able to identify the caller.”

Meanwhile, a search for a man missing since heavy rain flooded the Sandover River near Arlparra in January has also been called off.

Members of the Territory Response Section were used to search for the man after he and his brother were swept away in the fast-flowing river. The body of one of the brothers was recovered a few days later, however, an extensive air and ground search failed to find any sign of the second man.

TRS members returned to Arlparra last weekend to continue the search after flood waters subsided, however, the search was called off yesterday when there was still no sign of the missing man after several days of searching.

Superintendent Megan Rowe said the man’s family had been advised.

“Despite everyone’s best efforts we have been unable to locate the missing man. The family have been advised of our decision and completely understand the futility of continuing the search.,” Supt Rowe said.

“We have advised them of the extent of the search and explained the conditions on the ground following extensive flooding. They understand that it’s quite possible the man’s body may never be found.”

River body search to resume

Posted Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:00pm AEDT - ABC

Darwin police will resume a wide-scale search this weekend for the body of a 25-year-old man who was washed away in central Australian floodwaters.

The man and his 32-year-old brother were caught in the flooded Sandover River 19 days ago.

Police recovered the body of the older man who had drowned, but suspended the search for the second man because floodwaters were too high.

Local police have continued looking for the man in the meantime.

They say the water level is receding and a full search will resume within four days.

Man fails to return from late-night swim – Newcastle

Sunday, 17 Jan 2010 05:36am

NSW Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command are seeking information from the public after a man was seen entering surf at Nobbys Beach last night.

Police were contacted after a member of the public saw the man enter the surf about 10.15pm, but after 30 minutes he had not returned.

Police were told the man was aged about 25, was wearing black singlet and yellow shorts, and had told the witness his name was Bruce.

A command post was established in the Nobbys Beach car park and the area was searched using 4WD vehicles and the NSW Ambulance helicopter without success.

The search was suspended at 12.45am.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information about the identity of the man or his whereabouts to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Possible missing swimmer, Sunshine Beach:

Last Updated: 17/01/2010

QLD Sunshine Coast Water Police and surf life savers will continue to search today for a possible missing swimmer in the Sunshine Beach area. Around 7 last night police were notified by surf life savers they had received reports a man, wearing a black rashie and on a white board, was seen struggling in the surf before the informants lost sight of him. Life savers conducted a search but were unable to locate the man. An air and further sea search was conducted by water police but suspended just before 10pm after failing to locate the man. Police have not received any missing person reports and a search of the beach failed to locate any abandoned personal belongings. Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Sunshine Coast police on 5409 0000.

15yo boy named as canyoning tragedy victim

Posted 9 minutes ago - January 15th 2010 - ABC

Efforts are underway in Sydney's Blue Mountains to retrieve the body of a teenager who died on a canyoning trip earlier this week.

The weather will dictate how soon the police helicopter can airlift the body of 15-year-old Nick Delaney, out of the area where he died north of the Wollangambe Canyon.

It is believed he was killed by a falling rock ledge.

Police rescue and paramedics made a five hour trek into the canyon last night to stay with the body.

There is thick fog around Mount Wilson again this morning.

The conditions delayed the rescue of the five survivors yesterday, the two women, two men and another teenager aged 13 were released from Nepean Hospital overnight, after being treated for minor injuries and dehydration.

Among them are Nick Delaney's brother and cousin.

The group failed to return from a day trip on Tuesday and had not taken along an EPIRB tracking device.

Tuesday 12-Jan-2010 (1650 hrs CST)

Search suspended –Central Australia

Police have suspended the search for the body of a man who went missing in the Sandover River on Saturday morning.

Police mounted a land and air search after a report that two brothers aged 25 and 32 had been swept away in the river. Territory Response Section members were flown to the Arlparra community on Sunday after searchers failed to locate the missing pair.

On Monday morning the body of the 32-year-old was found approximately 22 kilometres from where he went missing. The body was retrieved and has been taken to Alice Springs.

Meanwhile the air and ground search continued for the body of the second man, however, after more than 50 flying hours, approximately 1950 kilometres searched by air and 75kilometres of land search along the river bank, police have stood down the TRS members involved until the waters recede.

Acting Superintendent Darrell Kerr said around 30 members of the Arlparra community had also been involved in the search.

“It’s always a difficult decision to suspend a search, but it’s become clear there is little chance of the man being located with the waters at their present level.,” Acting Superintendent Kerr said.

“Therefore, we are standing the TRS down and they will fly back to Darwin to resume the search again once the waters recede.

“This has been a tragic event for the family and community members, but the dedication of those assisting in the search is to be commended.”

Meanwhile the Northern Territory Emergency Service Flood boat and two crew from Alice Springs have been sent to the Arlparra Community to assist with on-going flood relief services to the surrounding outstations.

'Grave fears' for man missing in river

Posted Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:27pm AEDT - ABC

Search and rescue specialists are continuing to look for a 25-year-old man missing in a flooded central Australian river.

The man and his 32-year-old brother were swept away on Saturday in the Sandover River near the community of Arlparra, 250 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs.

The 32-year-old man's body was found yesterday 20 kilometres downstream from where the pair fell in.

Acting police Superintendent Darrell Kerr says a ground and air search will continue today.

"We hold grave fears for the safety of the second person," he said.

"He hasn't been seen, there's been no sightings since 10:00 am (ACST) on Saturday morning so we do have grave concerns."

Chopper crew spots body in swollen river

Posted Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:36pm AEDT - ABC

Locals say police using a helicopter have found a body in the swollen Sandover River, 250 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs.

Police and community members from Utopia have been searching for two brothers missing since Saturday in the flooded river.

A search is still on for the other man who was swept down the river.

Shire services manager at Arlparra, Harry Scott, says police are trying to recover the body.

"They went in at Atheley which is about 14,15 kilometres north of Arlparra and they found the body about 20-odd kilometres past there," he said.

"The river is very fast flowing and still very full.

"One of them was definitely swimming and got caught and swept away and the other one panicked and dived in for him and that was the last they saw of him.

"The community is very affected by it and they've already set up their sorry camp but a lot of the community are helping the police track both sides of the river to see if they can find the body."

Families missing in flooded central Australia

Posted Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:41am AEDT - ABC

NT Police are searching for two brothers who had been swimming in a swollen central Australian creek, and a family who set out on flooded roads in their car.

The two brothers, last seen at the Sandover River, are aged 32 and 25.

Police say one of the men was swimming in the flowing river at approximately 10:00 am yesterday when he got into trouble.

The man's brother jumped in to help but both men were swept away.

Police and members of the community failed to find the men yesterday and members of the Territory Response Unit will search the area today by foot and by helicopter.

Dam search for missing teenager - Scone

Monday, 11 Jan 2010 05:19am

A search will resume this morning for a teenager missing on a dam near Scone, NSW.

About 4pm yesterday, the 17-year-old boy was boating with friends on a 3.7 metre runabout on Glenbawn Dam in the Lake Glenhaven State Park.

At a point approximately 100 metres west of the eastern shore, the teenager jumped into the water but did not resurface.

A search of the area was conducted until nightfall by local police, local boats, the SES, and a rescue helicopter, however the boy was not found.

The search will recommence this morning which will also involve NSW Police divers.

Search for missing swimmer – Wilberforce

Sunday, 01 Nov 2009 05:28am

NSW Police will today continue a search for a woman who disappeared while swimming in the Hawkesbury River at Wilberforce.

About 2:30pm yesterday, a 36-year-old woman left a caravan park on the edge of the Hawkesbury River and went for a swim.

Witnesses have told police the woman swam half way across the river and dived under the water several times before she disappeared and failed to resurface.

Police and emergency services were contacted and a search of the river conducted with the assistance of local State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers and an ambulance helicopter.

Following an extensive search of the river and the river banks, the search was suspended at 5:30pm.

The search will continue this morning with the assistance of a police launch and divers from the Marine Area Command as well as further vessels from the State Emergency Service.

Anyone who may have seen the woman yesterday while swimming or have any information regarding her whereabouts is urged to contact Windsor Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

Family appeal for privacy after search called off for missing man - Pebbly Beach

Tuesday, 13 Oct 2009 05:34am

The search for a man swept off rocks on the State’s far south coast on Saturday has ended.

Paul Quinlivan, 50, disappeared after he was swept into the water about 11am while trying to help a 22-year-old man who had been washed into the water at Pebbly Beach near Bateman’s Bay NSW.

Mr Quinlivan was visiting the location with his youngest daughter when the incident occurred.

A large scale search has been underway since Saturday, however the search has now ended.

Police will recommend Mr Quinlivan for a posthumous bravery award.

The family of Mr Quinlivan, from Turner in the ACT, have appealed for privacy at this time.

They have released the following statement:

“Paul worked extensively with Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia for the past 25 years.

“His daughters, while desperately sad, are proud their father was a man of great courage and compassion and an indomitable spirit.

“Family and friends appreciate the extraordinary efforts and on-going support of Batemans Bay Police, the Marine Area Command, SES Volunteers, Australian Lifeguard Service from Batemans Bay, Kiama Downs, Broulee, Kiama and Mollymook, Coastal Patrol, NSW Police Airwing, divers and communications, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, National Parks and Wildlife, NSW Ambulance Service, Salvation Army and the Manager of the Pebbly Beach Cabins.”

Mr Quinlivan’s daughters will make no further comment and appeal to the media to respect their request for privacy.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Pair missing in rugged terrain

6/10/2009 8:55:00 AM - The North West Star

QLD POLICE and SES volunteers will continue their land and air search of rugged terrain surrounding Cloncurry today as police express “serious concerns” for two men missing for several days in the region.

Mount Isa Inspector Trevor Kidd said as the time the missing men spent in the harsh bushland increased, there was increasing alarm for their welfare.

In separate incidents, a 50-year-old Cloncurry resident went missing south-west of Cloncurry last week and a Mount Isa man, believed to be in his late 40s, went missing north of Quamby on Saturday night.

Yesterday about 10 State Emergency Service volunteers from Cloncurry, Normanton, Karumba and Mount Isa assisted police in an air and land search at Bannockburn Station, about 26 kilometres north of Quamby.

An Emergency Management Queensland helicopter conducted an air search yesterday.

Several smaller Cloncurry-based helicopters were also deployed during the search.

Police have access to 4WDs and quad motorbikes; however Inspector Kidd said due to the difficult terrain, the majority of the search was being carried out on foot.

Police were yet to release the name or a photograph of the man missing north of Quamby.

However, the man was understood to be of indigenous descent.

It is understood the man worked in the area and was familiar with the bushland surrounding Quamby.

Inspector Kidd said the searches would resume today.

“We’re focussing on both - they’re different searches - but both in rugged and hot country,” he said.

“They’re both massive stations and we have concerns for the welfare of both of the men.”

Outback search continues for missing men

By Chrissy Arthur - ABC

October 6th 2009

Police say there is still no trace of two men missing in north-west Queensland for several days.

Officers and State Emergency Service (SES) personnel have been searching south-west of Cloncurry for a missing 50-year-old, as well as north of Quamby for a 58-year-old man who has not been seen since the weekend.

Inspector Trevor Kidd says an Emergency Management Queensland helicopter is also involved in the effort, which will continue today.

"We make these assessments on a daily basis - we meet with our search and rescue experts, look at what we've done, what we plan to do in the future, we make the decisions from there," he said.

"The terrain is difficult - each of those searches has some variations in the terrain - Brightlands Station is very rugged, Bannockburn Station heavy spinifex and very dry."

He says a major incident room has been established.

"Unfortunately we haven't found any trace of the men - up on Bannockburn Station we've certainly been looking around some areas up there, but no luck, despite having quite an extensive search up there yesterday," he said.

"We had a large number of SES and police on the ground, but unfortunately no luck at this stage."

Missing person, Bannockburn Station (Cloncurry):

Last updated 04/10/2009

Police are currently searching for a 58-year-old missing man at Bannockburn Station, 26km north of Quamby. The man has been missing since yesterday afternoon and police hold concern for his safety as he has some medical conditions. Police and SES will continue the search for the rest of the day.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day. Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

Call for EPIRBs for lone bushwalkers

Posted Tue Sep 1, 2009 8:03pm AEST - ABC

The Tasmanian Liberals want all lone bushwalkers to carry an EPIRB as a condition of entry to the state's parks.

Emergency Services spokesman Rene Hidding says the recent experience of Victorian cabinet minister Tim Holding, who was today rescued in Alpine Victoria, highlights the importance of carrying an EPIRB when hiking alone.

Rene Hidding says search efforts are extremely expensive and an EPIRB can help quickly locate a hiker who is in trouble.

"In Tasmania in the last 10 or 12 years there's been a number of tragedies and a number of near misses, where people, particularly single bushwalkers who are not carrying EPIRBS," he said.

"We believe it is good public policy that they be required to carry a locator beacon."

Missing bushwalker Paluma Range located

A man missing in dense rainforest in the Paluma Range since Monday has been located this afternoon.

The missing 24-year-old man and his wife were staying at Paluma when the man left for a walk around 4pm telling his wife he would be home for dinner. Around 7.30pm his wife raised the alarm when he had not returned.

An extensive ground and air search involving the CQ and EMQ helicopters, police, police recruits, SES, ADF personnel and volunteers has continued over the last two days.

This afternoon the EMQ helicopter was tasked to search the south west corner in the area of the Blue Gum Creek approximately seven kilometres from the Paluma Township. The man was spotted in the creek waving and signalling for attention.

He was attended to by paramedics and winched aboard at 5.05pm where he taken to the search headquarters and treated by medical staff.

The man appears well but tired and dehydrated. He has been taken to the Townsville General Hospital where he will receive treatment for minor cuts and mosquito bites.

Body of man located following search – Long Reef Point

Monday, 10 Aug 2009 12:52pm

Police searching for a missing spear fisherman have today found the body of a man off Long Reef Point near Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

On Sunday 9 August, Police commenced searches following reports of a missing 31-year-old man who went missing at Fisherman’s Beach at Collaroy.

About 8:30am today the search resumed with the assistance of Divers from the NSW Police Marine Area Command, Police Airwing and Surf lifesavers.

About midday, following sightings from witnesses, Police Divers found the body of a man approximately 300 metres from a boat ramp on the seabed near Long Reef Point in about eleven metres of water.

The man is yet to be identified however there are no obvious signs of injury to his body and a post mortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of his death.

Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner and investigations into the matter are continuing.

Police search for missing boat- WA

Posted 7 hours 12 minutes ago - June 22nd 2009 - ABC

Water police began searching for a boat missing from Whim Creek, on the Pilbara coast, at first light this morning.

The boat with three people on board was due back at 5:00pm AWST yesterday.

The two men and one woman are from Karratha and have not been seen since they set sail yesterday morning.

Memorial held for missing fishers

By Cathy van Extel- ABC

Posted Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:47am AEST
Updated Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:46am AEST

A public memorial for three Burnett Heads (QLD) fishermen who disappeared at sea three months ago will be held this morning at the local jetty.

About 100 friends and family are expected to attend the service for Allan Parsons, 50, his son Kyle Wright, 18, and their friend Rod Clein, 34.

The men went night fishing in late March in a five-metre boat, but despite intensive air and sea searches, only a jerry can from the boat has been found.

Toni Wright, 19, who lost her father and brother, says today's service is a chance for family and friends to say goodbye.

"It's really good to just let go a little bit. We're just going to let some wreaths off and balloons and a minister's going to come and talk," she said.

Ms Wright is thankful to those involved in the search.

"Yes, we don't feel like there could've been any more done. The people that were involved in the search did a really good job," she said.

"We're going to get three plaques but we're not sure, we're still waiting on council's approval and we're not sure where exactly we're going to put them yet."

The memorial begins at 10:00am AEST at the jetty.

Fisherman dies after being swept off rocks - North Bondi

2009-04-25 11:20:29

A fisherman has died after being swept off rocks at North Bondi, in Sydney's east, this morning.

About 8.20am today, the man - believed to be aged in his late 20s - was hit by a wave while fishing from rocks at Ben Buckler Point.

Police involved in a search for another fisherman - missing since being washed off rocks in the same area yesterday - responded immediately to the incident.

A Polair officer was lowered into the water to render assistance to the man; both were then picked up by a Marine Area Command vessel.

Police performed CPR on the fisherman en route to Watsons Bay wharf where the boat was met by NSW Ambulance personnel and a rescue chopper; however, the man died a short time later.

Police from Eastern Suburbs Local Area Command will prepare a report for the information of the NSW Coroner.

Meanwhile, police from Polair, the Marine Area Command and Rescue Squad, and Surf Lifesaving Australia volunteers are continuing their search for the 58-year-old Moorebank man, who was swept into waters off North Bondi about 6.40pm yesterday (Friday 24 April).

The man had been fishing in front of the sewerage works when he was struck by a number of large waves.

His friend, a Moree man, was also knocked into the water but managed to cling to rocks until he was plucked from the water by emergency services.

He was treated at St Vincent's Hospital but released a short time later.

Marine search for missing man, Cole Reef: 23/04/2009

QLD Police and AUSSAR are coordinating a search of Cole Reef (60nm East of Mackay) for a missing 30-year-old man. The skipper and a crew member of a trawler were in a 3m kayak which became swamped during a recreational kayaking trip about 100m from the trawler. The alarm was raised by the crew member when the skipper failed to return to the trawler late yesterday afternoon. Police commenced a search of the surrounding area last night, and continued the search at first light today utilising six aircrafts and a VMR vessel.

Missing man sea search to be re-evaluated

Posted Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:24am AEST

Authorities will today re-evaluate the search for a 23-year-old Beckenham man missing off Western Australia's south coast.

Police say they hold grave fears for the man who they suspect was swept out to sea near Denmark on Friday.

Five metre swells have hampered search efforts, with rescuers limited to beach patrols and planes.

The search was expected to continue at first light this morning.

Police join search for woman missing in Vic

Posted Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:00am AEST - ABC

The police air wing will join search and rescue workers trying to find a woman missing in chilly conditions in Victoria's high country.

The 38-year-old from Lara, near Geelong, was part of a group of seven who set out to walk to Mount Sterling in the state's north-east yesterday.

She became separated from the main group and has not been heard from since sending a text message last night.

Seach continues for man missing off WA coast

Posted Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:49am AEST - ABC

Police have been unable to find a man missing off the south coast of Western Australia since yesterday afternoon.

The man was being towed behind a boat in a rubber inner-tube about 300 metres from shore when he fell out about 5:30pm AWST.

He was last seen face down and being carried out to sea off Hillary Point, 20 kilometres west of the town of Denmark.

Denmark police and sea rescue searched the area but were unable to find the man.

The search will resume at first light.

Body located, South Stradbroke

Last updated 09/04/2009

Police have recovered the body of a male off South Stradbroke Island early this morning.

About 6.30am, police received reports from the Westpac helicopter that a body had been sighted.

It is believed to be that of a 17-year-old boy who went missing in waters off Surfers Paradise on April 6.

The John Tongue Centre will conduct a post mortem examination to confirm identity.

Police search for Tas bushwalkers

Posted Tue Apr 7, 2009 4:18pm AEST

A rescue helicopter is searching for two bushwalkers missing near Cockle Creek in southern Tasmania.

Police say the two were expected to return yesterday from a seven day walk along the South Coast Track.

It is believed they have an emergency beacon but police say it has not been activated.

Authorities step up search for missing fisherman

Posted Tue Apr 7, 2009 7:07am AEST
- ABC

Four planes and a helicopter will this morning join the search for a 38-year-old fisherman missing since the weekend near Moreton Island off Brisbane.

The body of a second fisherman was located on the western side of the island on Sunday.

Their upturned boat was also found at North Point, west of Cape Moreton.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) spokesman Mick Spinks says the air search will cover 400 square miles.

"AMSA will coordinate the air search for the missing person," he said.

"They have tasked four fixed-wing aircraft and one helicopter and the AMSA aircraft will be an area around about 400 square miles.

"That area takes in the passage between Moreton Island and the mainland and it'll also cover an area up over Bribie and down through the Bribie passage."

Yesterday, two buoys were dropped in the ocean and left to float for 18 hours and were picked up early this morning.

A rescue helicopter spokesman Colin Brown says the buoys have given authorities an idea of the oceans current.

"One was travelling in a south-westerly direction, the other was drifting in a pretty much southerly direction, so that gives us an indication where we need to search," he said.

Search crews are concentrating their efforts on the northern end of Moreton Island.

Bush rescue prompts Lerderderg State Park warning

Posted Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:02am AEDT - ABC

Victorian Police have warned of the dangers in the Lerderderg State Park, after three people spent a night lost in the bush.

The group's four-wheel drive became bogged on Saturday, and they stayed the night because they did not know where they were.

It took emergency services eight hours to find and rescue the group yesterday.

Leading Senior Constable Brett Henry says park users need to be wary.

"The Lerderderg State Park is treacherous ... yesterday we were called out to missing persons and a week before that we were called out," he said.

"It's just a little bit more treacherous than what people think."

Community laments lost fishers

Posted 40 minutes ago March 31st 2009 - ABC

Community leaders from Burnett Heads, in south-east Queensland, say three fishermen, missing for almost a week, should never have gone to sea.

Police called off the search for the men aged 18, 34 and 40 yesterday afternoon.

They were last seen on Wednesday afternoon when they left Burnett Heads for an overnight fishing trip.

A jerry can belonging to the missing fishing boat was found on Sunday afternoon off the coast of 1770.

The chairman of the Blue Water Sports Club at Burnett Heads, Mick Duggan, says it is a big loss.

"Everyone's sad. I wish there was more we could do," he said.

"But there's nothing we can do. Because at the moment the seas are just not good enough to go out there in small boats.

"[The] sea's got no respect for us so, we've got to have a lot of respect for it.

"To go out in two to three metre swells to me is ludicrous. That's myself, I've got a 15 foot boat and I won't go out in those sort of waters."

Update - search for missing men, Bundaberg:

Last updated 30/03/2009

QLD Police have called off the search for three missing men off the Bundaberg coast. The men were reported missing on Friday morning after leaving Burnett Heads in a 5 metre vessel last Wednesday afternoon. Various items found in the search this morning have been confirmed as not from the missing vessel. The families of the men have been advised.

Update – search for missing men, Bundaberg:

Last updated 29/03/2009

A scaled down search for three missing men will resume again at first light tomorrow. The men were reported missing on Friday morning after leaving Burnett Heads in a 5 metre vessel on Wednesday afternoon. The Australian Search and Rescue Authority (AUSSAR) coordinated today’s search, which began at 6.30am, with eight fixed wing aircraft and five helicopters while Water Police and Volunteer Marine Rescue conducted a surface search. A jerry can of fuel, confirmed to be an item from the missing vessel, was found and retrieved from the water.

Search continues, Bundaberg: Last updated 29/03/2009

The search for three men missing off the coast of Bundaberg recommenced at first light today. The search area extends between Fraser Island and Yeppoon. AUSSAR have deployed five helicopters and eight fixed-wing aircraft and Water Police and VMR are conducting a surface search.

Search for missing vessel, Bundaberg:

Last updated 28/03/2009

The search for three men missing off the coast of Bundaberg will continue at first light tomorrow. The men were reported missing on Friday morning after leaving Burnett Heads in a 5 metre vessel on Wednesday afternoon. The Australian Search and Rescue Authority (AUSSAR) coordinated today’s search with nine fixed wing aircraft and four helicopters while Water Police and Volunteer Marine Rescue conducted a surface search. The search was conducted from Fraser Island to north of Yeppoon.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Search for missing vessel, Bundaberg:

Last updated 28/03/2009

A search is currently underway for three men missing off the coast of Bundaberg. The men were reported missing on Friday morning after leaving Burnett Heads in a 5 metre vessel on Wednesday afternoon. The Australian Search and Rescue Authority (AUSSAR) coordinated today’s search with nine fixed wing aircraft and four helicopters. Water Police and Volunteer Marine Rescue are currently conducting a surface search. The men are aged 18, 34 and 40.

Missing fishermen's families hope for miracle

Posted Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:22am AEDT
Updated Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:56am AEDT

Police say the families of two men missing off the central Queensland coast accept it would be a miracle if they were found alive.

The search for Russell Palmer and Tony Tyndall was called off yesterday after more wild weather whipped up off Rockhampton.

Deckhand James Palmer was rescued earlier this week.

Senior Constable Martin Webb, from Hervey Bay water police, says the families of the men understand there is only a small chance of finding them.

"At this stage they're sort of holding out hope for a miracle you might say," he said.

"They do understand as time passes the chances of their loved one surviving are rather slim\

Missing boat 'may be fishermen's last hope'

By Paul Robinson

Updated Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:30am AEDT - ABC

Searchers are trying to confirm if a life raft and two life vests found off the central Queensland coast during an air search are from the trawler MBC that overturned due to Tropical Cyclone Hamish earlier this week.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) may scale back the search for two missing crewmen later today, with rough seas off Rockhampton expected if the ex-tropical cyclone returns.

AMSA spokeswoman Tracey Jiggins says a small boat that had been attached to the trawler may be the men's last hope.

"We still have to hope that they did make it to the dory - that's still unaccounted for and hasn't been sighted," she said.

"Crews have been briefed today to also look for people in the water because we're running out of things they could actually be in."

Seven planes will continue the search for the men this morning.

James Palmer, 20, was also on the capsized MBC, but was rescued on Tuesday off Rockhampton.

Hervey Bay fisherman Stephen Murphy says trawler operators are very concerned about the men still missing.

"We're all very worried about Tony and Russell out there - we hope they get found," he said.

"We're quite happy to hear that James has been rescued."

One missing trawler crewman found alive

Posted Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:10am AEDT
Updated Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:43pm AEDT - ABC

Searchers have found alive one of three fisherman who were on board a trawler which has been missing in waters off the central Queensland coast for 24 hours.

The fishing trawler MDC went missing in big seas whipped up by Tropical Cyclone Hamish yesterday.

An Australian Defence Force (ADF) Hercules and another rescue plane are still searching Swain Reefs, off Rockhampton, for the 18-metre trawler and two other crewmen.

Tracey Jiggins from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority says a person was found in the area at about 10am AEST.

Ms Jiggins says an aircraft dropped a life raft to the man and he has been winched on board a rescue helicopter.

"Our rescue coordination centre is now trying to get some more information from him and we've also got aircraft in the area searching in the vicinity of where he was located," she said.

"We're still looking for two people."

The rescued fisherman is being taken to Rockhampton for treatment.

Fisherman Greg Murphy says he knows the crew of the trawler.

"I went to school with one of them, another was a brother of a friend, and another one was the son of a deckhand who I've worked quite a fair bit with," he said.

"I know the skipper was a lot more experienced than me - he's been working on trawlers pretty well all his adult life."

Update, missing man, Julia Creek:

Last updated 12/03/2009

Police divers located the body of a man in the Flinders River, Julia Creek yesterday afternoon. Around 3.30pm a submerged tractor was pulled from the flooded river in the vicinity of Normanton Road. Police believe it may be the body of a 70-year-old man who went missing on February 28. Police investigations are continuing.

Divers search for driver lost in floodwaters

By Penny Timms

Posted Thu Mar 5, 2009 8:21am AEDT - ABC

Police divers will today search the flooded Flinders River near Julia Creek, in north-west Queensland, for a 70-year-old man - six days after he went missing.

Superintendent Ray Pringle says it is believed the man accidentally drove off the bridge and into floodwaters last Friday.

He says rising river levels have hampered the search efforts and it has been a difficult week for rescue crews and the community.

Hunt for missing Lake Tyers swimmer

Posted Sat Mar 7, 2009 10:30pm AEDT - ABC

A man is missing off the coast of eastern Victoria.

He was one of two men who went in to help a third person having trouble in the water at Lake Tyers Beach near Lakes Entrance late this afternoon.

The search has been called off overnight and will resume at first light.

DATE 16/01/2009 TIME 9.10 am
Mans body found at Port MacDonnell

Following an extensive search involving Police, State Emergency Service and the Adelaide Bank Rescue helicopter at Port MacDonnell this morning for a missing diver from the South East, the body of a middle aged man believed to be the missing diver has been located approximately 30 metres off shore. Enquiries are continuing into this tragic incident and a report is being prepared for the Coroner.

Mosman man missing near Newcastle

Posted Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:40pm AEDT - ABC

New South Wales police are calling for public help to find a man who went missing near Newcastle on the weekend.

The 45-year-old Mosman man was last seen late Sunday night, walking away from his car on a bush track in Cameron Park.

A ground and aerial search by emergency services has so far failed to find the man, and police say anyone with information on his location should come forward.

Police seek help to locate missing man – Cameron Park

Tuesday, 13 Jan 2009 10:12pm

NSW Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man who went missing at Cameron Park near Newcastle on the weekend.

About 10pm, Sunday 11 January 2009, a 45-year-old Mosman man was last seen walking off from the car that he had been travelling in on a bush track near the Newcastle Link Road and Minmi Road, Cameron Park.

A land search of the area was conducted by police and SES volunteers whilst a visual air search was conducted with the assistance of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter however the man was not found.

Police hold serious concerns for the mans’ welfare and he is described as being of white/European appearance, approximately 182cm tall, 85kg, medium build, fair skinned with brown hair shaved on the sides and brown eyes.

He has three very distinctive tattoos on his face of a bird on his right cheek, a pattern on his left cheek and a pyramid of triangles on his forehead.

Anyone who may have seen the man or who has information in regards to his whereabouts, is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police on (02) 4965 8244 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police urge paraglider to come forward - Newcastle

Tuesday, 13 Jan 2009 05:37am

Newcastle Police are urging a missing paraglider to come forward, amid concerns for his or her safety.

The request comes following multiple witness accounts of a paraglider having difficulty landing on the grassy area atop Watt Street in Newcastle, about 9.15pm yesterday.

The site is understood to be a popular take-off and landing spot for gliders, but it is unusual for paragliders to be coming in or out after nightfall.

The glider was described as dark-coloured, possibly black, with a single pilot.

A number of police vehicles conducted an extensive search of the area, but did not locate the glider.

Police are urging the glider, or anyone with information about his or her whereabouts, to contact Newcastle Police on (02) 4926-6515 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Search resumes for missing man feared swept out to sea - Evans Head

Sunday, 11 Jan 2009 04:28pm

Police are continuing a search for a man, possibly thrown from his motorcycle and swept out to sea at Evans Head, on the state’s far north coast.

Around 12am yesterday (Saturday 10 January), the 27-year-old man set off on a short motorbike ride along Airforce Beach.

The motorcycle was not fitted with lights and the rider was not wearing a helmet.

When he hadn’t returned by daylight, his family contacted police.

Officers from the Richmond Local Area Command located the man’s damaged motorbike, submerged among rocks leading to the beach.

Tyre marks suggest the motorcycle entered the rock formation at high speed and crashed.

Police fear the man suffered serious injuries in the crash, only to be washed out to sea by a king tide.

Police Rescue, along with State Emergency Service personnel, searched nearby sand dunes yesterday while surf lifesavers from Evans Head and Ballina, using inflatable dinghies and a jet ski, made sweeps of the ocean, north and south of the accident site, but failed to find any trace of the man.

Police and the lifesavers today resumed a search of the area.

The missing man is described as white/European in appearance, 178cm tall, with a medium build and very short, sandy coloured hair.

He was last seen wearing a chequered black and grey shirt, denim jeans and shoes.

Anyone with information about the matter is urged to contact Evans Head Police on (02) 6682 4202 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Search resumes for youth missing in Murray River – Albury

Monday, 12 Jan 2009 05:40am

Police will today resume their search for a teenage boy missing in the Murray River at Albury, in the State’s south, since yesterday.

Shortly before 2pm four friends were swimming in the Murray River at Noriel Park, Albury, when one of them, a 16-year-old youth, began to struggle in the water.

His friends tried to help him before he went under the water.

A search began to locate the boy involving NSW Police, Victorian Police and the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA).

VRA divers from Corowa and Albury searched areas of the river near the point that the boy went missing.

The other three swimmers were uninjured and have been assessed by ambulance officers at the scene.

The search was suspended last night and will resume at 7am today.

Today’s search will involve NSW Police and State Emergency Service (SES) vessels and VRA divers.

Blue Mountains Police remind bushwalkers to take precautions before treks

Thursday, 08 Jan 2009 05:38am

A series of search and rescue operations in the Blue Mountains has forced police to remind adventurers to take proper precautions before trekking through the bush.

A search is resuming this morning near Mount Wilson for two canyoners, missing for two days on the Du Faurs Creek firetrail.

In a second incident, police rescued a 43-year-old man, who wandered off from a bushwalking group and became lost yesterday afternoon near Cascade Falls at Leura.

The search was mounted by Blue Mountains Police Rescue, Polair and the State Emergency Service.

He was reunited with his companions, safe and well.

In a third operation, two German tourists were found after a police search near Wentworth Falls.

The women, aged 20 and 22, telephoned police after losing their bearings around 8.30 last night.

Neither was prepared for overnight conditions.

Officers reached them around 11pm at Lindemans Pass.

They were safely guided back to their car.

Senior police are urging adventurers to follow the “Think Before You Trek” guidelines, drawn up by police and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

· Take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation aids, first aid equipment and warm, water proof clothing.
· Register your planned route and tell friends and family of your expected return time.
· Emergency Locator Beacons are available for loan, free of charge.
· Keep to the planned route on the map and follow walking tracks.

Police further advise bushwalkers, kayakers, canyoners and others to check local weather and environmental conditions before setting out, never travel alone and allow plenty of time to complete the trek.

The complete “Think Before You Trek” guide can be found on the NSW Police website – www.police.nsw.gov.au.

Emergency Locator Beacons are equipped with G.P.S. location technology and are free to borrow, subject to availability, from the Katoomba and Springwood Police Stations or the National Parks and Wildlife Service office at Blackheath.

Saturday 20-Dec-2008 (1456 hrs CST)
Overdue Party

An extensive air and sea search is underway in the NT for a missing 39-year-old man who was last seen travelling in his boat several nautical miles from Millingimbi three days ago by a commercial barge.

Police received the report at 8.00 pm last night from a concerned friend and immediately prepared for a search and rescue operation at first light.

The Marine and Fisheries Enforcement Section are coordinating sea patrols along the coast and local police utilised a charter flight this morning to conduct an air search of the area.

The man's vessel is described as a white aluminum Stacer centre consol dinghy and the 39-year-old was last seen wearing a light blue shirt, khaki trousers and a white cap.

Ramingining Police located the mans car and boat trailer earlier this morning at the Millingimbi Barge landing.

The Police Airwing will depart with four Northern Territory Emergency Service trained observers this afternoon to assist in the search effort.

Police are concerned for the mans safety given recent bad weather in the area and are calling on all vessels or aircraft travelling between Millingimbi and Elcho Island to report any vessel matching this description to Police.

Wednesday 12-Nov-2008 (1530 hrs CST)

Update #8 - Missing Pilot – Nhulunbuy

Police discontinued their search last night for the wreckage of a plane that crashed on 16 October.

On Sunday 2 November police received a report that the Marthakal Sea Rangers operating out of Elcho Island had located the wreckage of an aircraft that crashed on 16 October.

It is believed the wreckage had been located on the eastern side of Napier Peninsula in Buckingham Bay and was along the original flight plan of the missing plane. As a result of the report from the Sea Rangers the police vessel Beagle Gulf and a team of specialists headed to the site.

The team have now searched all areas which were identified as high probability locations for the wreckage, and nothing further has been found.