A man missing while hiking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko yesterday has been found and is safe.
A public appeal for information and a geo-targeted SMS was issued earlier today as a ground search continued for the 61-year-old man, who was last known to have been in the Thredbo area about 5.30pm yesterday (Saturday 14 September 2024).
The man had initially been reported missing to the Australian Federal Police and the information passed onto officers attached to Monaro Police District, who commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Officers attached to Monaro Police Area Command commenced a search of the Thredbo area, and when his white sedan was found in the Cascades car park on The Alpine Way, a coordinated search was launched about 10.30pm involving specialist NSW Police Alpine operators, Traffic and Highway Patrol police, members of the SES and Fire and Rescue NSW.
A command post was established in Jindabyne Police Station with a multi-agency response lead by police from Monaro PD and involving specialist police Alpine operators, SES, and Fire and Rescue NSW continued throughout the night.
Police held serious concerns for the man's welfare due to extremely challenging weather conditions with snow, wind and poor visibility.
Shortly before 9am, a member of the public alerted searchers that a man had been found on The Alpine Way at Thredbo. He was brought to Jindabyne where he was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics and found to be cold but otherwise unharmed.
Police thank all volunteers and specialist officers who assisted with the search, as well as the media and the local community who shared appeals to find the man.
