A friend and former neighbour of the Lamont family has offered a deeply emotional glimpse into the anguish gripping South Australia’s rural outback following the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont.

Gus was last seen by his grandmother in a blue Minions shirt playing outside on a mound of dirt at his family’s Oak Park Station homestead in Yunta before he vanished around 5-5.30pm on Saturday, 27 September.

Despite extensive efforts involving helicopters, drones, ground crews and volunteers, police have now scaled back the operation after medical experts advised there was little hope of finding the boy alive.

Alex Thomas, who grew up on a station 75km from Yunta, revealed to The Advertiser that the tragedy has shaken the entire rural community.

“It’s painful because of the trauma the situation is inflicting on one of our own, alongside those who know the family and the wider rural community,” she said.

“Anyone who’s ever lived on the land is feeling this pain because it could have been any of our children.”

Footprint twist in search for 4yo Gus missing in Outback

She described Gus’ deep connection to the land, a place that may seem unforgiving to outsiders, but is familiar to those raised on it.

“For those not from the area, the landscape seems quite harsh, but for Gus – it’s this kid’s backyard.

“It might be a big backyard but he knows that place like the back of his little hands, not unlike his parents, and his parents’ parents; there’s a wisdom, a confidence and a know-how that comes with that generational upbringing.”

Ms Thomas has also called for an end to speculation around Gus’ appearance.

“I really want to gently inform people about the realities of rural life and ask them for their compassion and understanding,” she told the outlet.

“Because this family – this gentle and loving family – they’re not headlines, they are not a spectacle.

“They are real people who are hurting beyond belief.”

On Sunday, police made the call to hand over the investigation to the missing persons team, which is managed by the major crimes squad.

“Police are actively looking to rule out every investigation opportunity and will search the property when any potential evidence that could be connected to Gus is identified,” Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams said on Tuesday.

A significant search was conducted on the property on Monday after a small footprint was located around a dam approximately 5.5km west of the homestead.

However, the footprint was found not to be related to Gus.

On Friday and Saturday night, a significant aerial search of the property was undertaken using a special drone with infrared capabilities.

Due to the complexity of the technology, the results could take weeks to return.

“We will never give up hope of finding Gus,” Ms Williams added.

“There are further lines of enquiry being undertaken and the family have continued to cooperate with fully with police.”