‘Serious concerns’ for hiker as heavy snow hits search
Rescuers have “serious concerns” about a bushwalker who has been missing for almost a week due to waist-deep snow and ice.
Tasmanian Daryl Fong went on a day hike in Mt Field National Park, about 60km northwest of Hobart, last Saturday morning.
His last known contact texted a friend around 3 a.m. on Sunday, saying he was late and wanted to spend the night in the park and camping.
Search teams were dispatched to the scene later that day after the 30-year-old’s friend contacted police on Monday, concerned about Mr Fong’s health.
Tasmanian Police Superintendent Luke Horne said crews were focusing on the Tarn Shelf area on Friday.
“Over the past few days, search teams have faced difficult conditions in the area, including waist-deep snow, poor visibility and near-gusty winds,” he said.
“We are determined to find Daryl but as time passes and conditions in the area we have serious concerns for his welfare.”
According to the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, the Tar Shelf area includes a series of small glacial lakes with tarns that often freeze over in winter, and contains a 12km walking trail with short, steep hills, uneven surfaces and many steps.
Police search and rescue, State Emergency Service and wildlife paramedics were deployed and a rescue helicopter was also called to assist in the previous days.
Mr Fong’s white Subaru car was found in the Dobson Lake car park and he left it there when he began his walk.
Inspector Horne said about 100 people had been in the Mt Field National Park area since Mr Fong set out.
He urged them to contact Bridgewater Police if anyone else saw Mr Fong’s vehicle in the car park or has any information regarding his movements.
One of Tasmania’s oldest, Mount Field National Park is home to a diverse range of alpine vegetation, from tall eucalyptus forests to icy landscapes and cascading waterfalls.
Search teams are also continuing to search for 76-year-old Peter Willoughby, who went missing in the Hollybank Forest Reserve in north-east Tasmania.
The Scottsdale man, who had a medical condition that could cause him to become disoriented, was reported missing Oct. 5 after he and others tried to retrieve his swampy station wagon from a rural road.
Police have serious concerns about Mr Willoughby’s health and the possibility of hypothermia as heavy rain has impacted the area.
Scores of hikers have died in recent months after experiencing difficulties in freezing conditions in Australia’s south-east.
The bodies of two women were found in a cabin in the mountains by a pair of bushwalkers on October 3, northeast of the popular Falls Creek ski resort in Victoria.
A Chinese tourist walking with a group in Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain National Park died after being overwhelmed by the cold weather in late September.
