Massive update in search for Gus Lamont: Cops to return to outback South Australian property and drain dam
- Continuing the search for Gus Lamont
- Drainage of family property will be emptied
The search for missing four-year-old Gus Lamont will continue as police prepare to drain a dam.
South Australia Police issued a statement on Thursday saying officers would search the family’s farm, Oak Park Station, about 40km south of Yunta, on Friday.
The statement said, ‘Drying the dam will allow the completion of a comprehensive visual survey, especially in areas with underwater vegetation.’
A new search is being carried out at the dam to eliminate the possibility that ‘Gus’ may have drowned.
‘This follows extensive ground and air searches of the area surrounding the farm since Gus disappeared.’
The dam is approximately 600 m away from the farm and approximately 4.5 m deep.
He had previously been searched by police divers in the early days of the search for Gus.
Australian Defense Force personnel were also called to assist.
The search for missing four-year-old Gus Lamont will continue as cops prepare to drain a dam
A search party at the property on 17 October
The little boy was last seen outside his grandparents’ house around 5pm on September 27.
He was under the care of his grandmother, Shannon Murray, while his mother, Jessica, and grandfather, Josie, tended to their flock of sheep 10km away.
The police emphasized that “no evidence of murder” has emerged in the investigations carried out to date.
A SA Police spokesman said: ‘Gus’ family has continued to co-operate fully with police and is being supported by the victim contact officer.
‘Further searches of the property will be considered in the future as Task Force Horizon investigations continue.’
There are various theories as to where Gus might have gone.
A human physiologist from Flinders University has put forward a worrying theory that the search area may not be large enough.
“We’re looking at potentially 3 to 8 kilometers over a three-day period,” Nina Siversten told 7NEWS.
Police are looking for Gus at the family farm
SA Police, Australian Army and SES teams search for Gus at Oak Park Station on 17 October
The initial search radius was initially 2 km surrounding the farm. The second effort extended another 2.5 to 3 km further into the bush.
“If the child has access to some type of moisture, dew or moist leaves, that may slightly increase survival beyond three days,” Ms. Siversten said.
‘I think fear will definitely be a factor and that will affect the ability to move and also find shelter.’
The Native scout who joined the search for Gus earlier this week expressed quiet confidence that the boy would eventually be found.
Port Augusta-based Aboriginal scout Ronald Boland told the Daily Mail he was confident the boy would be located.
‘This little boy deserves respect by following the right paths,’ he said.
‘The police will find him, they will find him. They do what they do best, and I do what I do best. One day I’ll tell the story (about Gus).’
