Aurukun man found, bringing an end to a five-day search operation

A 52-year-old man reported missing near Aurukun has been found, bringing an end to a five-day search operation by authorities and the community. Watch the video.

The 52-year-old man who was missing north-east of Aurukun has been found and taken to a medical facility.

The search was officially suspended on the morning of Thursday, March 27 after the man was found safe and well following five days of search operations by authorities.

Earlier in the week police had released footage of their rescue efforts, which showed numerous community members and authorities gathered for a briefing as a helicopter took off to search the bushland.

Police have launched a search and rescue operation east of Aurukun, after a 52-year-old man was separated from his hunting group on Sunday. Photo: Police media

On Wednesday, a Queensland Police spokeswoman said: “The search area remains in bushland, with no water assets involved at this stage and no indication that a crocodile was involved.”

The 52-year-old man was first reported missing on Saturday, March 22, after becoming separated from his hunting group.

Authorities said at 4pm that afternoon, the vehicle the man was traveling in became bogged about 70kms east of Aurukun.

It is then understood the man became separated from his group shortly thereafter, with the remaining members of the group conducted an initial search before returning to Aurukun to alert authorities.

Police, local council, Cape York APN, and community members had continued searching the bushland until the man was found safe.

Police expressed their gratitude to the Aurukun community, Cape York APN, and the local council for their support throughout the search.

It comes just weeks after the town of Aurukun mourned the loss of 60-year-old Adam Yunkaporta, also known as Waal Waal, who went missing on January 30, 2025.

After a week of searching near crocodile-infested waters, rescue efforts transitioned into a recovery mission, ending on February 8.

Wall Wall was tragically killed by a crocodile in a remote Far North Queensland river.

He was remembered as a beloved figure in the town, known for his vibrant personality.

Originally published as Aurukun man found, bringing an end to a five-day search operation