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Fears grow for missing Sydney teen Lily Hooper after hike in New South Wales

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • An 18-year-old hiker, Lily Hooper, has been missing in New South Wales since Wednesday after going for a hike in the Nattai National Park.
  • Her car was found near the start of a trail, and she was last confirmed to have reached the summit of Bonnum Pic mid-morning on Wednesday.
  • A multi-agency search involving police, rescue services, and defense personnel is ongoing, with authorities expressing concern but remaining hopeful for her safe return.

Search efforts are intensifying for 18-year-old Lily Hooper, who has been missing since Wednesday after embarking on a solo hike in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Fresh teams arrived at the Nattai National Park on Saturday morning to continue the extensive search operation.

We have not been able to fully confirm what supplies [Hooper] had with her at the time, but we are still hopeful that we will be able to locate her safe and sound

— Det Insp Benjamin BowlesA police inspector expressed concern about the hiker's supplies but maintained hope for her safe recovery.

Hooper left her Sydney home around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, informing her family she intended to hike in the national park. She was reported missing that evening when she failed to return and could not be contacted, despite having sent messages from the park earlier in the day. Her car was discovered parked on Wanganderry Road, near the entrance to the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail, late Wednesday night.

Initial police inquiries suggest Hooper reached the summit of Bonnum Pic around midday on Wednesday but has not been heard from since. A comprehensive, multi-agency search is underway, involving local and regional police, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, the State Emergency Service, and Hooper's family. Defense force personnel joined the search on Friday, utilizing drones, a helicopter, and specialist rescue teams.

We don’t have any information to suggest that this is anything other than an overdue hiker.

— Det Insp Benjamin BowlesThe police inspector stated that current information points to the hiker being overdue rather than suggesting foul play.

Authorities have expressed concern for Hooper's safety, with Detective Inspector Benjamin Bowles stating, "We have not been able to fully confirm what supplies [Hooper] had with her at the time, but we are still hopeful that we will be able to locate her safe and sound." He added that there is currently no information to suggest anything other than an overdue hiker. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns conveyed his support, stating, "Our heart goes out to that young walker’s family. We know this must be heartbreaking and incredibly anxious."

Our heart goes out to that young walker’s family. We know this must be heartbreaking and incredibly anxious.

— Chris MinnsThe Premier of New South Wales offered sympathy to the missing hiker's family, acknowledging their distress.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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