Riverina Police officers at the command post as the search continues. Photo: NSW SES
More than 150 members of the NSW State Emergency Service have joined police in their search for a hiker missing in Kosciuszko National Park.
Since December 26, 2024, SES members have hiked through steep and dense terrain in search of Hadi Nazari, 23.
UPDATED: Nazari found alive near Blue Lake after 13 days in the wilderness. For more, click here: hiker found alive after 13 days
Specialist NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) teams also camped overnight to increase search capabilities and time spent in the area.
NSW SES South-Eastern Zone Deputy Commander, Superintendent Matt Price says the search area is about a six-kilometre hike from the command post at the Geehi Campground.
He said SES teams were covering about 12 kilometres per day in the search area.
“SES teams have been on both day and overnight deployments to cover the search areas that we are tasked to by NSW Police,” he said.
SES Alpine Search and Rescue (ASAR) teams who responded to the call on Boxing Day remain in the field, leading the way with their training, fitness and knowledge of the region.
“All of the members deployed have completed extensive fitness and technical training. Our specialist remote and alpine search operators have done additional training in navigation and have a lot more experience in going into this kind of terrain,” Supt Price says.
POLICE UPDATE
Yesterday (Tuesday), NSW Police reported that a campfire, lighter, camera and camera bag had been found near Geehi River on Sunday. The camera was confirmed as belonging to Nazari.
Earlier, on December 31, 2024, rubbish and hiking poles, believed to belong to Hadi, were found near Kosciuszko River.
Police said Nazari was last seen by friends about 2.30pm on Thursday, December 26, 2024, descending the Hannels Spur Trail at Geehi, between Khancoban and Thredbo, in the park.
The three men were expected to meet up at the Geehi campground but when he failed to arrive, the two friends, aged 23 and 24, began to search for him.
Officers from the Riverina Police District were alerted about 8.45pm, and began patrols by vehicle and on foot, assisted by the SES.
On Friday, December 27, 2024, a command post was established and a search begun involving the Goulburn Police Rescue, Riverina Police District, National Parks and Wildlife Service, SES, NSW Ambulance, VRA and PolAir.
Two Victoria police officers with bush-searching capabilities have also joined the search.
