Major search for missing man Darren Blake, 55, in You Yangs Regional Park enters fifth day
Hopes are fading for a Whittington man feared dead in the You Yangs as police sniffer dogs and horses joined a wide scale search on Thursday.
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Hopes are fading for a Whittington man feared dead in the You Yangs as a wide scale search enters its fifth day.
Darren Blake, 55, was last seen seven kilometres from the rugged regional park he would often visit, as uniformed officers, dirt bikes, drones, four-wheel drives and dozens of SES volunteers continued to look for him on Thursday.
Police sniffer dogs and horses are also being used in today’s search specifically targeting trekking and trail areas.
The keen bush walker was spotted on Forest Road North in Lara about 12.20pm on Sunday.
He has not been seen or heard from since and his bank account remains untouched.
His family is still clinging to hope he will return safely four nights after he was reported missing.
Mr Blake, who enjoyed other walking trails in Geelong, caught a train to Lara before setting off on foot towards the striking granite range.
One hiker, speaking on Wednesday, said another night lost “would prove very difficult” without adequate food and protection from the elements.
Police believe Mr Blake may have become disoriented.
His phone has been switched off since Sunday.
The area spans 2,000 hectares and rises sharply from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne and Geelong.
Another tourist exploring the park said “I didn’t see him”.
A major air and land search was initially launched on Wednesday morning.
Mr Blake was sighted on CCTV at the Lara train station a short time before his last confirmed sighting.
His sister Melanie and her and partner Steven Barrett said his disappearance was out of character.
“He drives up here and usually does the hikes...quite regularly,” Mr Barrett said.
“We are really concerned for Darren’s safety.
“We haven’t seen or heard from him in three days.”
Inspector Matt Trask said the intense search to locate him would continue within the park, popular with walkers and mountain bike enthusiasts.
He said Mr Blake may have changed clothes if he had become disoriented.
“Its not uncommon... to remove or change items of clothing,” Inspector Trask said.
“If anyone has been out here in the last few days, or even today, and you have seen something we ask that you to contact police.”
It’s still unclear why he didn’t drive to the regional park, about 30 minutes out of Geelong.
A permanent command post has been established at its entrance of the bush terrain, which features rugged granite peaks, dry eucalyptus woodlands and dusty trails.
The area was lashed with wild winds and heavy rain on Monday evening with gusts of up to 75 km/h recorded.
It’s understood security footage captured him leaving Gemini Court in Whittington at about 10am on May 25.
He is described as caucasian with a tall, slim build and fair skin.
People living in the Geelong suburb have been asked to check CCTV footage for any possible sightings that might help the investigation.
He was wearing a black peaked cap, black sunglasses, black t-shirt, black jeans, black runners and a black backpack.
It comes after a 55-year-old Geelong West man was found dead at the same site in 2016 after he never returned from a mountain bike ride.
Police used a spare key to open his Holden ute, parked in a nearby carpark, and discovered his packed lunch untouched.
The park has two dedicated riding zones with a network of trails spanning 50 kilometres.
Police are appealing for anyone with information about Mr Blake’s whereabouts to contact Geelong Police Station on 55225 3100 quoting reference 250224912.
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Originally published as Major search for missing man Darren Blake, 55, in You Yangs Regional Park enters fifth day
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