‘Please Help Us Find Her’: Lily Hooper’s Dad Speaks Publicly for the First Time as Fears Grow for Missing NSW Hiker
Lily Hooper has been missing since Wednesday. Picture: Supplied
The father of a young woman who went missing in dense bushland in southern NSW has broken his silence, pleading for support from the public in an impromptu radio interview.
While 2SM Breakfast Host Tim Webster was fielding calls on Monday morning, a man who identified himself as the father of missing hiker Lily Hooper, 18, said he had decided to “bite the bullet” and speak publicly about the search.
Lily Hooper left her home in southwestern Sydney on Wednesday morning to go hiking. Picture: Supplied
Ms Hooper’s car was found parked near the entrance to a well-known trail in Nattai National Park. Picture: Supplied
Audibly choking back tears, Ms Hooper’s father said he was “very upset” and he wanted people to “cross their fingers” as the search for the missing teen entered its fourth day.
“We’re going to find her today. I’m going back to her now, I’m just putting my boots on, and I just want everyone to throw love and energy because we’ve gotta go and find her,” he said.
“We’ve got to find this kid. She’s got to be in there somewhere.”
She is an experienced hiker, and emergency services are hopeful they will find her alive. Picture: Supplied
Ms Hooper’s father has searched for his missing daughter but until now has refrained from directly addressing the media.
“I’ve been very quiet, I don’t post anything on social media or anything like that and I thought … I’m just going to bite the bullet and ring up,” he said.
“I just want everyone out there to cross their fingers and hope we find her today because it’s been too long.”
NSW Police said Ms Hooper left home about 8am on Wednesday morning to hike in Nattai National Park, and when she hadn’t returned home by 10pm that night, she was reported missing by her family.
Most of the search has revolved around the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail. Picture: Supplied
“About 11pm, Lily’s car was found parked on Wanganderry Rd, near the start of the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail at High Range, and a command post was established,” police said.
“Initial inquiries indicate Lily reached the summit of Bonnum Pic about midmorning; however, there’s been no further contact since that time.”
NSW Police Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie said “no trace of Lily” had yet been located as of Monday morning, citing difficulties for rescuers navigating the terrain of Nattai National Park.
The Bonnum Pic Trail follows a ‘dramatic sandstone ridge line’ and requires ‘heavy bush bashing’. Picture: Supplied
“It’s quite dense with bushland and there’s a dense tree canopy which also hinders our aerial searching. However, we’re on the ground, there’s a good support from the local community and our volunteers are doing a fantastic job,” he said.
According to AllTrails, the Bonnum Pic track “requires significant self-reliance” due to post-bushfire regrowth, making parts of the trail overgrown and difficult to follow.
Police Rescue, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, SES and members of Lily’s family have been working throughout the weekend to find her.
Volunteer rescue squads from as far north as Cessnock have also been mobilised to help in the search.
The search will continue on Monday.
