Police have issued a call-out for camera footage following a widened search for a 17-year-old boy who disappeared in dense bush in Victoria’s east on Friday.
William was camping with his step-brother near Walhalla East, in Gippsland, when he disappeared on Friday, November 6.
He was last seen about 4pm near Stoney Creek Roadnear the town of Cowwarr, after walking a short distance from their drop-off location to collect additional camping equipment.
He failed to return, prompting his step-brother to search the area, but there was no sign of him.
This afternoon, police said a hunting camera had been discovered within the search area, leading to an urgent call for anyone with similar cameras to review their footage.
Police asked anyone with a camera in the area around Cowwarr, Stoney Creek, the Lower Thomson River and surrounding tracks to review their footage and come forward if there was anything that could assist in the search.
Police Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said search crews had already covered a large area of bushland and would extend the search perimeter today.
William disappeared near the W2 Track in Wahalla East. (ABC Gippsland: Jarrod Whittaker)
“We’ve had a look at the mapping of where we’ve searched. It’s amazing how much ground that we’ve covered,” he said.
“So today, we’re going to look a bit further out.”
Police divers are searching rivers as part of Wednesday’s operation, alongside a helicopter, off-road motorbikes and specialist Search and Rescue personnel.
About 40 to 50 people are searching on foot, with police maintaining the same resources deployed on Tuesday.
Acting Inspector Benbow said there were no plans to scale back the operation.
“There’s nothing that we’re not doing to try to find William, and we’re still very hopeful that today might be the day.“
The search is focused about 6 kilometres north-west of Cowwarr Weir, closer to the township of Cowwarr than Walhalla, off Stoney Creek Road.
Police divers have been brought in to search for the missing boy. (ABC News: Jack Colantuono)
Acting Inspector Benbow said William was last seen near a makeshift campsite beside the river, where there were stairs leading down to the water.
William was wearing only shorts and work bootshaving removed his shirt in the warm weather.
His mobile phone, food and water were left behind, while a fishing tackle box, pillows and a fold-out tabletop are unaccounted for.
Police have used a helicopter as part of their search for missing teen William. (ABC News: Jack Colantuono)
Acting Inspector Benbow said police were looking into whether he had continued walking, taken shelter or been injured.
“There are a lot of tracks up there. There’s a river, but you never know, everyone’s different,” he said.
Source: www.abc.net.au
