Police Remain Hopeful After Nine-Day Search for Missing Hiker
Search teams continue their efforts to locate 23-year-old Hadi Nazari, missing for nine days in Kosciuszko National Park’s rugged terrain
Hadi Nazari, Kosciuszko National Park, NSW, Search and Rescue, Missing Person
Kosciuszko National Park: Searchers are still holding out hope for 23-year-old Hadi Nazari, who’s been missing for nine days now. The terrain is tough, but they’re not giving up.
Hadi, an experienced bushwalker, was last seen around 2:30 PM on Boxing Day. He was making his way down the tricky Hannels Spur trail when he lost contact with his friends.
When he didn’t show up at the Geehi campground, his friends raised the alarm. Since then, a massive search effort has kicked off, involving police, emergency services, and volunteers.
Recently, some items believed to belong to Hadi were found near the Kosciuszko River, which has helped narrow down the search area. Acting Superintendent Jill Gibson said they’re still focused on finding him alive.
“We’re not giving up hope,” she said. The search teams are concentrating on creek lines and water sources, thinking Hadi might be near them.
They’ve even brought in specialist teams with winching gear to tackle the dense bushland. It’s tough going, though, with the thick vegetation making it hard to see.
“In some spots, searchers can’t even see their feet,” Gibson noted. Hadi’s experience as a bushwalker gives them some hope as they continue searching through the weekend.
Paul Luckin, a search and rescue expert, mentioned that in his experience, very few people are found alive after being missing for so long. He emphasized that finding drinkable water is crucial for Hadi’s survival.
Unfortunately, water sources in the area are limited, and the thick vegetation makes it hard to access them. The Hannels Spur trail is known for its challenges, with a steep elevation change of 1800 meters.