Friday03 January 2025 03:28:35 PM
PLEASE NOTE: Images of the search terrain can be found on the NSW Police Facebook Page
More specialist search operators from across the state are being deployed into the fieldas the search for a missing bushwalker in Kosciuszko National Parkenters its eighth day.
Police have been told Hadi Nazariaged 23was last seen by friends about 2.30pm on Thursday 26 December 2024descending the Hannels Spur TrailGeehibetween Khancoban and Thredboin the Kosciuszko National Park.
The three men were expected to meet up at the Geehi campground; howeverwhen he failed to arrivethe two friendsaged 23 and 24began to search for him.
Officers attached to the Riverina Police District were alerted about 8.45pmand commenced patrols by vehicle and on footassisted by the SES.
On Friday 27 December 2024a command post was establishedand a multi-agency search commenced involving Goulburn Police Rescueofficers attached to Riverina Police Districtassisted by National Parks and Wildlife ServiceSESNSW AmbulanceVRA and PoLAir.
Late on Tuesday 31 December 2024rubbish and hiking polesbelieved to belong to Hadiwere found near the Kosciusko Creekwhich remains the focus area of the search.
More specialist operators from NSW Police Rescuewho have winching capabilities have arrived to further assist with the searchallowing officers to be winched into denser bushland to search for longer periods of time.
Riverina Police District Acting Superintendent Jill Gibson said the search will continue into the weekend.
“We are continuing the search for Hadithis remains an active search and rescue and we are not giving up hope of finding him alive. Our search crews are focussing on the creek lines and water sourceswhere we believe Hadi may be,” A/Supt Gibson said.
“To date we have utilised over 250 staff to search this difficult terrain. We have had some of the most experienced searchers in the state involved including the Police Rescue Unit LANDSAR operatorsthe State Emergency Services bush search and rescue operators and Volunteer Rescue Association Rescue Bush search and rescue operators and National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers. In additionwe’ve had aircraft from several agencies over the eight-day period.
“The location comprises of incredibly dense bushland and challenging conditions on the groundwith the bushland so dense that searchers – in some parts – can’t see their feet. We know Hadi is an experienced bushwalkerso we will continue through the weekend searching to try to locate him,” she said.
