Human remains found in park at Toowoomba

Forensic police and crime scene investigators are scouring a bushland walking track after the discovery of human remains by a hiker, with one local revealing the dangers of the rough, steep terrain.

Police have declared a crime scene after a member of the public found what is believed to be human bones at a park in Toowoomba.

A police spokesman said a member of the public contacted police yesterday at 3pm after making the grisly discovery.

A crime scene has been established in about 3km along the Hell Hole Falls walking trail at Glen Lomond Park at Middle Ridge, a large area of bushland on the outskirts of Toowoomba that’s popular for its walking trails.

Police have cordoned off a section of Glen Lomond Park at Middle Ridge on the outskirts of Toowoomba after a hiker discovered what investigators believe are human remains.

Searches of the park are under way and anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Someone close to the investigation said it will be a challenge for police to identify the remains, with a potential 12-month wait anticipated.

Queensland Police Service acting deputy commissioner Mark Kelly said the remains were discovered by a hiker on Monday.

“Yesterday there were some human remains located at a park at Middle Ridge near Toowoomba … it is a walking track area, it is fairly remote area so today we have got police, forensics and we are going to request SES to conduct searches,” he said.

“We are also reviewing missing person records.”

Human remains were discovered by a hiker at Glen Lomond Park in Middle Ridge, sparking a police investigation. The park is on the outskirts of Toowoomba and features popular walking trails.

He said photographs of the scene appeared to indicate that the remains were not “very recent” and appealed for the public to come forward with any information.

A woman who has lived beside the park for more than 10 years said it was common for hikers to become trapped on the difficult walking tracks, requiring a rescue.

“About six months ago there was a lady who went missing and the police were here for a few days and they searched everywhere,” she said.

“There were two reports that people could hear someone calling for help.

“There were helicopters searching at night with big flood lights.

“They moved heaven and earth to find her.”

An aerial view of Glen Lomond Park in Toowoomba, where human remains have been discovered.

In the 10 years that the woman has lived beside the park, she has called the police about 10 times to report missing hikers.

“I have a full view of the car park. I can see a vehicle left there and I know they are lost, so I ring the police.”

“There are maybe 100 people a week who walk the trail.

“It is very rough terrain, some of the ravines would be 1000 feet deep.

“If walkers go off the beaten track then they are sunk.”