Garry Edser found perished in remote Qld bush

A pair of experienced gold hunters and business partners who died during heatwave conditions while prospecting outside the remote outback town of Croydon have been identified.

The Rescue 510 helicopter was tasked with the search at Esmeralda Station. Picture: Peter Carruthers

A pair of experienced gold hunters and business partners who died during heatwave conditions while prospecting outside the remote outback town of Croydon have been identified.

Known to the people of Croydon as travelling prospectors, Garry Edser and his unnamed business partner were staying at Croydon Caravan Park on Alldridge St and would usually return in the evening for a swim in the pool after a day in the field, according to the park’s manager.

But the co-directors of the company Molyrex Pty Ltd never returned on Sunday evening.

When it was noticed they hadn’t returned, the caravan park manager called the police.

An extensive search operation was launched and on Monday a 2024 dual cab Toyota HiLux, was located on Esmeralda Station near Rifle Creek Ridge, about 80kms south of Croydon.

Several personal items including mobile phones were found in the vehicle, according to police.

Geologist Garry Edser went missing in remote bushland outside Croydon on Sunday and was later found dead by the 510 Rescue helicopter near the Esmeralda Station homestead. Picture: Supplied

It’s understood the couple perished not far from the Esmeralda Station, 300km southwest of Cairns.

The area lies within the Esmeralda Gold Field for which Molyrex is the holder of a Department of Natural Resources and Mines exploration permit.

Authorities and family held concerns for the couple’s welfare due to the difficult terrain and daytime temperatures this week which exceeded 42C.

On Wednesday the Rescue 510 helicopter spotted the bodies of the 65-year-old East Toowoomba man and 69-year-old Sydney woman in rugged bushland about 2.5km from their vehicle.

Geologist Garry Edser from Toowoomba was the director of Molyrex Pty Ltd Picture: Supplied

Though the couple were veterans at field research, people in Croydon believe extreme temperatures had potentially contributed to their deaths.

“It’s just devastating they were very experienced at what they did and even though they were old they were fit and active people,” the caravan park manager said.

Mr Edser was also the managing director of the Kynoch Minerals and principal consultant at Finrank.

His Linkedin lists him as a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and provided consulting in geoscience, mineral exploration, mineralogy, petrology, petrography, geochemistry and data science.

Queensland Police Service search and rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Winfried Weiss said the pair’s bodies had been spotted by a search and rescue helicopter.

“Police conducted an extensive land and air search over the remote area which sadly resulted in locating the pair deceased,” he said.

Rescue 510, State Emergency Services volunteers, the Stock Squad, general duties officers on horses and motorbikes, as well as nearby mustering helicopters were part of land and air search for the geologists.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of death but investigations are ongoing.

Originally published as Garry Edser found perished in remote Qld bush