Phone data guides major search for Tasmanian Corey Chugg lost in rugged bushland
Police are unclear about the full circumstances that led to a man in his 30s going missing in bushland outside Launceston.
Corey Chugg, 32, went missing on Sunday when he reportedly left a friend who was out collecting firewood.
On Wednesday, a police helicopter and drone hovered over search teams on the ground, scanning an area about 20km outside Launceston where Mr Chugg’s phone data was recorded.
Inspector Aleena Crack said Mr Chugg was wearing only shorts and a shirt and had no food.
“In some parts the terrain is quite unforgiving, in others there are open paths and bush,” he said.
“He was alone with only his clothes when he disappeared.
“Just shorts and a top, without any rescue equipment or anything like that. He didn’t have any food with him.”
Inspector Crack said Mr Chugg was in the woods with a friend, the pair became separated at some point and Mr Chugg was reported missing 24 hours later.
The delay in reporting was not something police were “currently concerned about”.
“We’re treating this as a missing person lost in the woods,” he said.
“Other investigations may come up later, but right now we want to find him in the forest.”
Search efforts are focusing between Nunamara and Mount Barrow, northeast of Launceston.
Inspector Crack said the search area was narrowed down using signals from Mr Chugg’s mobile phone.
