Dangerous weather conditions are hampering a police search for a missing walker in the Cradle Mt/Lake St Clair ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Park.
Three police search and rescue teams, a police marine vessel and a team of SES volunteers, are currently searching for 57 year old Victorian man, Michael Bowman of Mt Waverley, who is an experienced bushwalker.
This afternoon police were also alerted to another walker potentially suffering from mild hypothermia in the Petrarch Lake area (north western end of Lake St Clair).
Searchers in the area have responded and are attempting to make their way to the man’s location.
“This reinforces the current dangerous conditions in some parts of the state at the moment and members of the public should consider their need to travel into these areas affected by bad weather at the moment,” Acting Inspector Curtis said.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was forced to turn back from the search for Mr Bowman late this morning due to dangerous weather conditions. Further attempts will be made when the weather conditions improve.
“Our information is that Michael is an experienced bushwalker who was well prepared for this walk,” Acting Inspector Curtis said.
“The last information that his family had is that he was at a sheltered campsite. We are concerned for his welfare, but we remain optimistic that Michael will be located alive and well.”
The focus of the search is the Mt Cuvier area of the Lake St Clair ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Park.
“This is rugged terrain with no formal track. Land crews have been assigned from Narcissus Hut to Cuvier area and surrounds and also from Visitors Centre to Narcissus,” Acting Inspector Curtis said.
“These people are skilled and experienced searchers. Police would like to thank those people who have volunteered to join the search, however the conditions are not suitable for unskilled volunteers.
“The search is being further hampered by the current weather event, with no mobile communications in the area.”
Mr Bowman indicated an intention to walk in the Mt Cuvier region and was due to return to the Lake St Clair visitor centre on 13 July. He is understood to be carrying an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), which has not been activated.
He is described as being approximately 180cm tall, of medium build, carrying a grey pack and wearing a red/orange jacket and dark coloured pants. He is thought to be using a yellow/mustard coloured tent.
Anyone who may have seen Mr Bowman in the Cradle Mt/Lake St Clair ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Park is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.
