by Lophophaps » Sun 17 Nov, 2019 1:47 pm
A number of comments in this topic require clarification. I contacted Mansfield police and have been advised as follows.
“1 There was no phone or car keys located; these are believed to be with Niels. The car had a house key and an ipod.
2 Triangulation and interrogation of phone records has been completed.
3 There always is the possibility that Niels has walked out of the search area. All possible sightings have been followed up and investigated and to date discounted.
4 All huts and tracks have been checked and logged via GPS tracking.
5 Pol Air was utilised when they were able to fly within the area when weather permitted.
6 With any searches in the Alpine areas BSAR are deployed and work regularly with SAR. SES, CFA, Timbertop staff, DEWLP and Parks Vic were involved in a co-ordinated response utilising knowledge not only from government agencies but, hikers, local hunters, cattleman and horse riding groups to search the area.
“We ask for any person who believe they have sighted or locates items to contact Crime Stoppers in the hope that we can link it to Niels.
“At this point there is no active searching but Niels is still an Active Missing person and as such investigations are on going in the hope we are able to return Niels to his family.”
*** Mansfield advice ends
There is limited point having a formal search after so long. The probability of finding Niels alive is nearly zero. All the places he could be have been searched, with walkers and others not on the search in this popular area. Searches are expensive – Police Air Wing, Police overtime and other duties not being done, BSAR volunteers. Equally, Police provide a coordination and support that ad hoc searchers do not have. This includes but is not limited to communications, transport, and a lot of experience with local and Police SAR.
It's important to carry a mobile phone and a PLB-type device. There's phone reception from many ridges, including at distances of 30-40 kilometres. Try the phone first as you can give nuanced information, allowing resources to be better allocated.