Search continues for Michelle Lyn Melbourne and Nikita May Bennett in Nanango
Police continue to search for two prospectors after they failed to return from a trip to 7 Mile Diggings in Nanango on Friday.
South Burnett
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The search continues for two women who failed to return home from a day trip at 7 Mile Diggings near Nanango on Friday, June 23, 2023.
Police have called in the State Emergency Service and Polair to assist with locating the two women, Michelle Lyn Melbourne (54) and Nikita May Bennett (36) after they were last seen leaving Nanango Tarong Rd at around 11am on Friday.
Police said the pair left to go prospecting at 7 Mile Diggings on Old Esk North Road, about 10km south of Nanango towards Yarraman in the South Burnett. The area is an old fossicking site dating back to the late 1900’s.
A white Ford Falcon ute belonging to the women was found at the site, locked and secured with their mobile phones inside.
Concerned that the women have had a misadventure, police and SES continued the search early Sunday morning, urging local residents and property owners to check their sheds and farm houses in case the women found shelter for the night.
The bushland surrounding 7 Mile Diggings is rough and steep, and nighttime temperatures drop towards freezing. Police and family fear for the women’s welfare after they discovered personal items belonging to the women.
Ms Melbourne is described as Aboriginal, approximately 155cm tall, with a heavy build, brown eyes and long brown hair.
She was last seen wearing a yellow jumper, blue jeans and steel cap boots.
Ms Bennett is described as Caucasian, around 165cm tall, with proportionate build, brown eyes and blonde hair with pink and purple streaks.
She was last seen wearing a checkered shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of either of the women, is urged to contact to police.
Commenters on social media reported hearing helicopters overhead from midnight to 3am on Saturday morning, and again around 11.30am.
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