Police have scaled back their search for a Victorian man missing in the Tasmanian wilderness, saying his “chances of survival are extremely low” after being exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Three days of extensive search operations involving police, SES, drone operators, helicopter crews and park rangers across the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park have failed to locate Christopher Inwood.
A police helicopter crew conducted searches in the northern section of the national park on Thursday, but found no sign of Inwood.
The decision to reduce active search efforts was announced today by Western District Search and Rescue Inspector Steven Jones.
“Police will continue to follow up any new leads or information that may assist in locating Christopher,” Inspector Jones said.
“Our thoughts remain with his family who are affected during this incredibly difficult time.”
Inwood’s white Toyota Hiace van was discovered in a ranger station car park at approximately 7:30am on Tuesday.
He was last seen in Kindred, in Tasmania’s north, around 8:30pm on Monday, with police believing he drove from Kindred to Cradle Mountain late that evening.
Inspector Jones said the area where Mr Inwood was believed to be had been comprehensively searched using all reasonable search strategies.
“Given the length of time Mr Inwood has been missing and the harsh weather conditions in the area, if he has been fully exposed to the elements, sadly, his chances of survival are extremely low,” Inspector Jones said.
