The Guardian
Two bushwalkers missing in different parts of Tasmania with ‘grave fears’ for 76-year-old.
Searchers have so far been unable to find missing bushwalker Daryl Fong in Mount Field national park.
Tasmanian police are searching for two bushwalkers missing in different parts of the state, including one aged 76 who has now been missing for 10 days.
Police say they hold “grave fears” for Peter Willoughby who wandered into bushland in Hollybank forest reserve, in the state’s north-east, on 5 October. Separately, bushwalker Daryl Fong, 30, went missing while hiking in Mount Field national park, in Tasmania’s south-east, over the weekend.
Police resumed searching for Willoughby on Wednesday after efforts were paused last Friday due to poor weather posing a risk for rescuers in the dense bushland.
Search and rescue teams returned to Hollybank forest reserve to scour the area for Willoughby. Police officers and SES personnel searched previously examined areas and ventured south from the bushwalker’s last known location.
The Tasmania Police Northern Search and Rescue Inspector, Nick Clark, said despite the extensive searching over the past 10 days Willoughby was not located.
“We remain determined to find Mr Willoughby, but given the length of time he has been missing, and the inclement weather conditions in the area, police hold serious concerns for his welfare,” he said.
Willoughby, from Scottsdale, was reported missing on the afternoon of 5 October, after he went walking in the thick forest near Hollybank.
Police previously said he was in the area to retrieve his silver Subaru Outback station wagon, which had become stuck on a nearby road the prior week.
While retrieving the car on 5 October with others he became separated from the group.
The elderly man is being treated for a medical condition, which can result in him sometimes becoming disoriented, police said.
A concurrent search effort was also under way for Fong in the Mount Field national park area on Wednesday. A friend reported Fong – who was on a day hike in the national park over the weekend – missing on Monday.
He texted a friend at about 3am on Sunday saying he had become delayed and was planning to seek shelter overnight, police said.
“About 2.50pm on Monday, the friend contacted police concerned for Daryl’s welfare as they had not been able to contact him,” a statement said.
Fong’s vehicle – a white Subaru – was located in the Mount Mawson car park, where police believed he left it to commence his walk.
Police said search teams, which paused again on Wednesday night, continued to face difficult weather, including snow and rain, poor visibility, and near gale force winds
