Police search for missing elderly couple in the Victorian Alps
The search for an elderly man and woman, who remain missing in the alps two weeks since they were last heard from, has been suspended due to inclement weather. Police are mystified after their fire-damaged van was found — with no sign of the couple.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The search for an elderly couple who disappeared over a week ago from a “well equipped campsite” in the Victorian Alps has been suspended due to inclement weather.
Police started an air and land search for Drouin man Russell Hill, 74, and his travel companion Pakenham woman Carol Clay, 73, after his ute was found damaged at a campsite near Dry River Creek Track at Billabong on March 27.
Mr Hill was last heard from two weeks ago when he made radio contact with friends.
“The situation will be assessed as the weather improves,” a police spokeswoman said.
Mystery surrounds how the couple disappeared in the Victorian high country, who police said earlier this week had gone missing from a “well equipped campsite”.
Mr Hill is thought to have begun a touring trip at Dargo River with Ms Clay, 73, on Thursday, March 19.
Police said Mr Hill was last heard from on March 20 when he made radio contact with friends from the remote Wonnangatta Station in the Victorian Alps, where he said he was having radio transmission issues.
His vehicle was found by campers on March 27 with signs of minor fire damage near Dry River Creek Track at Billabong in the Wonnangatta Valley.
Ms Clay’s belongings were found at the campsite inside the vehicle, described as a white Toyota Land Cruiser with modifications.
Inspector Craig Gaffee, who is leading the search, said it remained a “mystery” why the pair had gone missing from their campsite.
He said they were hopeful of finding the pair alive and were keeping an open mind to all possibilities.
“The campsite itself and vehicle are really well equipped,” Insp Gaffee said.
“There’s no real damage to the vehicle, it’s drivable.
“We’re not sure what supplies they’ve got on them but we located a number of personal effects in the vehicle.”
Insp Gaffee said it was believed the couple had their mobile phones with them as they weren’t found at the campsite and they were known to be travelling with them.
He said there was also a possibility that Mr Hill had a drone with him and urged anyone in the area to keep an eye out for one.
“We’re really keen to hear from anyone who’s been in that Billabong and Wonnangatta Track area,” Insp Gaffee said.
“We know there are currently other campers in the area, and the track is travelled frequently by other campers and hunters.”
He said Mr Hill had travelled the track a number of times already this year.
About 30 searchers have joined an expanded land and air operation on Monday, which includes police, the dog squad, State Emergency Service volunteers, Parks Victoria and the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association on horseback.
Insp Gaffee said concerned family and friends had also offered to join the search but had been advised against it due to the remoteness of the area, which had also made resourcing the search challenging.
Mr Hill is understood to have planned to visit various campsites along the Dargo River before leaving the region at Dargo on March 26.
Police spokesman Sergeant Cameron Scott said Ms Clay had told friends she was heading away and to expect her home on March 28 or 29.
Police found her car parked in the garage at her Pakenham home. They believe she is in the company of Mr Hill as her belongings were found in his vehicle.
“Russell worked in the logging industry for some time and is familiar with the area,” Sgt Scott said.
“Police hold concerns for the welfare of Russell and Carol due to the amount of time they have been missing and Russell suffers from medical conditions.
“It is not known what either of them are wearing and it is out of character for Russell not to make contact via the radio.”
Police have released images of Mr Hill and Ms Clay in the hope someone may have seen them.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sale Police Station on 03 5142 2200.
MORE NEWS:
SUBURBS WITH THE MOST COVID-19 CASES
WHY VICTORIA’S LEARNER DRIVERS FAIL TESTS