Search and rescue teams have made the ‘difficult decision’ to suspend the search for a 22-year-old missing Burnie swimmer.
Authorities say the woman, who had a disability which may have affected her ability to swim, “could not have survived” after she disappeared in a rip around 2pm on Saturday.
“Significant and intense search efforts by all involved in the search over the previous two days in the search zone have sadly, failed to locate the missing person,” Inspector Adrian Shadbolt said.
He said police divers, the rescue helicopter and marine rescue assets from across the north-west coast had all been deployed in the search – with 56 people on the ground involved in the operation as of this morning.
“[The search area] was calculated this morning at 200 nautical square miles,” Inspector Shadbolt told Pulse.
“It makes you quite proud to be Tasmanian when you see those sort of people giving up their time to assist in the search,” the Inspector said.
“Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.”
Missing 22yo Tasmanian swimmer ‘unlikely to have survived’, Police say
Police have provided an update on the missing 22-year-old swimmer at Somerset, saying they now believe the “survivability factor expired yesterday afternoon”.
The woman was reported missing around 2pm on Saturday, with an urgent search involving Police & Surf Life Saving launched shortly after.
“That time elapsed is just significant and beyond the survivability,” Inspector Adrian Shadbolt said.
It is now known the swimmer, who was in the water with her family members, had a medical condition which “limited her swimming ability”.
Surf Life Saving resources from across the north-west coast, including Boat Harbour and Burnie, are assisting with the search, alongside Police and Marine Rescue crews.
“[The search area] was calculated this morning at 200 nautical square miles,” Inspector Shadbolt told Pulse.
He said they “still maintain hope” but are now facing the worst.
“The sad reality is we’re in a search and recovery operation,” he said.
The 22-year-old local lived with her family at Camdale and was swimming with her 9-year-old brother and 26-year-old sister.
Authorities say waterways in the area are well known for being ‘rugged’ and urge anyone entering the water to know the conditions and check the Beach Safe website.
“If it’s a patrolled beach, swim between the flags,” Shadbolt said.
Police have thanked the significant volunteer resources assisting in the search, with 56 people on the ground involved in the operation this morning.
“It makes you quite proud to be Tasmanian when you see those sort of people giving up their time to assist in the search,” the Inspector said.
Police divers and other resources remain at the beach as search efforts continue.
