Desperate Search for Missing Bushwalker Daryl Fong Enters Seventh Day as Brother Issues Heartfelt Thank You to Rescue Crews
- Rescue teams battle ‘dangerous’ conditions, including waist-deep snow and damaging winds, to find 30-year-old photographer Daryl Fong
- Brother Ethan Fong thanks search crews for their ‘tireless efforts’ in a emotional social media post
- Police urge anyone with information to come forward as concerns grow for Mr Fong’s welfare
The search for missing Tasmanian bushwalker Daryl Fong has entered its seventh day, with rescue teams facing ‘dangerous’ conditions in the Mount Field National Park. Mr Fong, 30, was reported missing on Monday after failing to return from a solo hike in the park.
His brother, Ethan Fong, has taken to social media to thank the rescue crews for their efforts. ‘We can’t even begin to express how much we appreciate all your tireless efforts,’ he wrote. ‘It’s hard to believe how many people have been working so relentlessly to bring my brother home and provide us with some closure.’
Mr Fong, an avid photographer, had been on a day hike to capture images of the national park when he went missing. He was last seen camping in his white Subaru at Lake Dobson car park on the night of Friday, October 10. His last contact with anyone was at 3am on Sunday, October 12, when he texted his housemate, Martin Gotthard, saying he had become delayed and was planning to seek shelter overnight.
Search teams have been using specialist search equipment and a vertical rescue team to scour the area, but their efforts have been hampered by the treacherous weather conditions. ‘Efforts today are being hampered by the dangerous weather conditions, including waist-deep snow, poor visibility, and damaging winds,’ police said.
Mr Gotthard, who raised the alarm on Monday afternoon, has also thanked the rescue crews for their efforts. ‘I’ve been up there in this, but only when I wanted a day that sucked, and I used to call myself a climber but never in wet snow and wind; none of this is what most people would call fun,’ he wrote on social media.
Police believe Mr Fong is carrying a personal locator beacon, which has not been activated. ‘Search personnel remain committed to finding Daryl but with the passing of time and the conditions in the area, serious concerns are held for his welfare,’ they said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Bridgewater Police on 131 444. The search for Mr Fong continues, with rescue teams refusing to give up hope of finding him alive.