Bring Lily Home: Shocking New Turn as Army Joins Massive Search for Missing 18-Year-Old
The army has been called in to help search the Southern Highland wilderness for a missing teenage bushwalker, who disappeared while on a hike seven days ago.
Lily Hooper, 18, was reported missing last Wednesday by her family after she told them she would go for a hike at Nattai National Park.
The experienced hiker left the Oakdale house about 8am Wednesday with the intention of hiking at the national park, but the alarm was raised about 10-pm when she failed to return home.
About 11pm the same day, Ms Hooper’s car was found parked on Wanganderry Rd near the start of the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail.
Lily Hooper has been missing since last Wednesday. Picture: Supplied
Emergency services are continuing the desperate search seven days later, with assistance from police’s Polair, rescue, trail bike, mounted and dog units, Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Ambulance, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and other aviation assets.
“Today, close to 100 members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) joined the search for Lily, which recommenced this morning – a combined 200 emergency services and defence personnel are searching the area today,” a NSW Police spokesman said.
More than 260 SES volunteers also on the ground as part of the search.
“Search crews continue to push through dense tree canopies, steep drops, and exceptionally rugged terrain across Nattai National Park and surrounding bushland,” the NSW SES Wollondilly Unit said in a statement.
“Emergency services remain fully integrated at the High Range Forward Command Post, maintaining a co-ordinated, persistent effort on the ground and in the air to bring Lily home.”
The search for the missing teenager is continuing. Picture: NewsWire Handout
Ms Hooper’s family said they were “devastated” by the disappearance.
“Our family is absolutely devastated that our beloved daughter Lily is missing,” they said in a statement.
“We desperately want to bring Lily home safe and we ask as the search continues, to keep our family and Lily in your thoughts.
“We would like to thank all the emergency services and volunteers for their support and continued commitment to the search, not only during the day but throughout the night.
“We appreciate people who have made offers for the search but due to the terrain and conditions we ask just professional search teams continue.”
The 18-year-old woman is known to be an experienced hiker. Picture: Supplied
The community have been encouraged to stay alert for signs of the missing teenager.
“Anyone travelling through or living around High Range, the Southern Highlands, or nearby trailheads (including the Bonnum Pic trail area) is urged to keep an eye out,” the SES said on Wednesday.
“Check properties and dashcams: Local residents and motorists are asked to continue reviewing dashcam footage, private CCTV, rural acreage boundaries, and outbuildings.”
However, members of the public have been urged to “leave the field searching to trained crews”.
“Due to the hazardous terrain and extreme conditions, the public is requested to allow professional emergency services and search teams to conduct on-ground operations,” they said.
Hundreds of volunteers are on the ground searching for the hiker. Picture: NewsWire Handout
On Tuesday, Bushwalking NSW President Jessie Burke urged the public to avoid speculation about her whereabouts, and said it was unknown how prepared Ms Hooper was for the hazardous conditions.
“It’s important for people not to assume things. We don’t know the circumstances, we don’t know how well equipped Lily was – we just don’t have those answers,” she said.
“I see a lot of commentary online from people saying it’s reckless or stupid to go out by yourself, particularly as a female, and I don’t think that’s a fair call.”
She said the majority of the bushwalkers in the association were women, who frequently walk alone.
“We have 11,000 bushwalkers in our organisation, the majority of whom are women who go bushwalking by themselves quite frequently. It’s not inherently dangerous,” she said.
Ms Burke said she didn’t think Lily was being “reckless” during her hike.
“She’s gone out to have a good day walking, and whatever has happened has happened,” she said.
