Fears grow for missing bushwalker Daryl Fong in Mt Field snow search with photos of police search released
Police hold “serious concerns” for solo bushwalker Daryl Fong after he vanished in alpine conditions at Mt Field National Park five days ago. What we know.
Update, Friday, October 17: Tasmania Police have released photos of the ongoing search in the state’s south for bushwalker Daryl Fong, who has been missing since Monday.
The search and rescue operation is ongoing in the Mt Field National Park area, with efforts focused on the Tarn Shelf.
Tasmania Police Inspector Luke Horne said search teams comprising members from Tasmania Police Search and Rescue, Tasmania State Emergency Service, and Ambulance Tasmania Wilderness Paramedics will continue to search the Mt Field area for Mr Fong on Friday.
“Over the past days, search teams have been faced with difficult conditions in the area including waist-deep snow, poor visibility, and near gale force winds,” he said.
“We remain committed to finding Daryl but with the passing of time and the conditions in the area, we hold serious concerns for his welfare.”
Anyone who has been in the Mt Field National Park area since Saturday who has information in relation to Daryl or his movements is asked to contact Bridgewater Police on 6173 2010 and quote ESCAD 000225-13102025.
Thursday, October 16 9.45am: Search teams will focus on the Tarn Shelf area of Mt Field National Park on Thursday as the search continues for missing bushwalker Daryl Fong.
Tasmania Police Inspector Luke Horne said search teams continue to battle difficult conditions during the search for Mr Fong who was reported missing on Monday.
“Search teams continue to be faced with difficult conditions in the area, including rain, waist-deep snow, poor visibility, and near gale force winds,” he said.
“We are committed to finding Daryl but given it has been several days since his last contact, and the conditions in the area, we hold serious concerns for his welfare.
“Police ask anyone who has been in the Mt Field National Park area since Saturday to contact police if they have seen any sign of Daryl.”
Anyone who saw Daryl in the Mt Field National Park area is asked to contact Bridgewater Police on 6173 2010.
Wednesday, 10am: An extensive search and rescue mission remains underway for Hobart man Daryl Fong in the Tarn Shelf area of Mt Field National Park.
Another day of searching is underway with rescuers continuing to face challenging conditions with similar resources returning to the area, such as the rescue helicopter, wilderness paramedics and search and rescue officers.
Mr Fong failed to return from a day walk of the Tarn Shelf circuit on Saturday, police said, and was last heard from when he texted his friend at 3am Sunday saying he was seeking shelter overnight after becoming delayed.
Police believe the avid photographer has a personal location beacon on him, however it hadn’t been activated.
Addressing media on Tuesday afternoon, Tasmania Police Inspector Luke Horne said it had been incredibly difficult conditions for walkers.
“As you can imagine, at the moment conditions are extremely challenging in the area, with snow to knee to wait height, there are near gale-force winds and visibility is incredibly low and it’s incredibly steep and rocky in the area,” Inspector Horne said.
Mr Fong had made it to the Lake Dobson carpark on Friday where he spent the night before waking up early Saturday morning to complete the walk solo, Inspector Horne confirmed.
He said it’s believed he didn’t have camping supplies with him or much, if any, food and water.
“The sooner we can find Daryl the better his chances of survival.”
Update 12.45pm: Icy wind gusts and deep snow are hampering search efforts for a Tasmanian man believed to be missing in the Mt Field area.
It’s believed Daryl Fong, 30, last contacted a friend about 3am on Sunday in a text messaging saying he intended to seek shelter and camp in the park overnight.
Police said he hasn’t been heard from since and a search was triggered on Monday afternoon after alarm was raised.
In their latest update, police said: “The search effort is being focused on the Tarn Shelf area, where knee to waist-high snow is being encountered in some areas.”
Anyone with information about Mr Fong’s movements at Mt Field, or who may have seen him in the national park, is asked to contact Bridgewater Police on 6173 2010.
Initial Tuesday: A search is underway for a 30-year-old solo walker feared missing for more than 48 hours at Mount Field National Park.
Tasmanian man Daryl Fong was known to be day hiking in the area over the weekend and hasn’t made contact since about 3am on Sunday, when he texted a friend that he was seeking shelter overnight as freezing temperatures swept in. He is known to have some experience outdoors and may have suitable equipment and clothing.
Police were alerted to the situation on Monday afternoon when Mr Fong had not returned from the park. A helicopter search crew was deployed yesterday afternoon, but were unable to locate him. A ground search crew also joined the search with additional emergency response teams attending this morning.
Anyone with information about Daryl Fong’s movements at Mt Field, or who may have seen him, is asked to contact Bridgewater Police on 6173 2010.
Originally published as Fears grow for missing bushwalker Daryl Fong in Mt Field snow search with photos of police search released
