The search for a 76-year-old man missing in rugged Tasmanian bushland has been called off for Friday as a severe weather system moves through the area.
Peter Willoughby has now been missing for five days after he walked into dense bush near Hollybank in the state’s northeast on Sunday afternoon and became separated from his group.
Police, paramedics and SES volunteers have been scouring thick, forested terrain since Sunday but have found no trace of Willoughby.
“We do, of course, hope that we will be able to find Mr Willoughby, but as each day passes, there are grave concerns for his welfare,” Northern District Search and Rescue Inspector Nick Clark said.
The decision to suspend Friday’s search was made due to safety concerns for officers working in heavily forested areas during extreme weather.
Search teams faced brutal conditions on Thursday, battling rain, hail and severe wind gusts as they combed through a new area south of the Hollybank reserve.
Helicopters and drones have been grounded throughout the operation due to poor visibility and ongoing bad weather.
Inspector Clark said the terrain had made searching extremely difficult.
“Conditions were again very difficult, with search teams working in thick, rugged terrain through periods of rain, hail and extreme wind gusts,” he said.
Willoughby disappeared about 2km from Hollybank on Sunday afternoon.
He was last seen wearing a dark blue jumper, blue jeans and sneakers.
Police are urging anyone who has information about Willoughby or who may have seen him in the area since Sunday to contact them on 131 444.
