Far North Queensland’s Aurukun community has banded together to find a 60-year-old man missing in rugged bushland since Wednesday.
More than 40 volunteers, members of the public, Aurukun council staff, local business owners, family and friends joined search efforts after the man’s family raised the alarm.
Aurkun Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant Amit Singh said the outpouring of support from the community was incredible.
“All I did was ask from help and everyone just jumped in. The local council knocked their staff off early on Friday to help, even the teachers finished early and jumped in again today on their days off,” Senior Sergeant Singh said.
“There were volunteers from Weipa and Cairns, rangers on ATVs and officers on horses thanks to a local station owner.
“It was a coordinated effort through some very tough and rugged terrain.”
After almost three days, the 60-year-old man was found in swamp area near the Airport just after 11am yesterday.
Senior Sergeant Singh said he was exhausted but stable and transported to hospital for further treatment.
“Thank all the organisations, community members, my officers and the state coordination unit for mobilising such an amazing bunch of people to come together for this job because as an Officer in Charge, this is the worst thing that can happen in the unit, so I’m relieved it was a good outcome,” Senior Sergeant Singh said.
