The search continues for missing hiker Hadi Nazari in the Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: NSW Police.
The multi-agency search for a bushwalker who went missing in the Kosciuszko National Park on Boxing Day continues with little sign of Hadi Nazari.
Several items, including rubbish and hiking poles, which are believed to belong to the 23-year-old, were located late on Tuesday afternoon (31 December).
The 23-year-old was last seen by friends at about 2:30 pm last Thursday (26 December 2024) while descending the Hannels Spur Trail, Geehi, between Khancoban and Thredbo in the Kosciuszko National Park.
The bushwalking trail is steep with extremely rough terrain and is considered one of the most challenging in NSW.
The three men became separated in the dense bushland and were expected to meet up at the Geehi campground.
When Hadi failed to arrive, the two friends began to search for him and soon notified authorities.
Officers attached to the Riverina Police District commenced patrols by vehicle and on foot, assisted by the SES, but without success.
A command post was established on Friday (27 December). A multi-agency search commenced involving Goulburn Police Rescue, officers attached to Riverina Police District, assisted by National Parks and Wildlife Service, SES, NSW Ambulance, VRA and PolAir.
Riverina Police District Acting Superintendent Jill Gibson said on Tuesday that they had brought in specialist volunteers with extensive hiking experience.
“We airlifted 28 volunteers into a higher capacity area … taking them 1600 metres above where the current command post is, and then they’ve worked their way down in a grid pattern.
“The volunteers we do have are amazing. They are specially trained for this type of terrain. It’s not just like going on a walk up a hill; it’s dense bushland with high altitude and scaling it is very difficult.”
Ms Gibson said that while the 23-year-old did not have an emergency beacon, he was well-equipped.
“The camping gear which he had shows that we had a reasonable amount of water. He had a camping tent, poles and adequate clothing and that increases our hopes.”
The large-scale search to try to locate Hadi continues.
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