Inside actor Hugh Sheridan’s desperate rescue mission to find his brother, lost after Nepal quake

AUSSIE actor Hugh Sheridan has hired a helicopter, assembled a crew and will personally help in the search for his little brother, lost following the Nepal earthquake.

AUSTRALIAN actor Hugh Sheridan has hired a helicopter, assembled a crew and will personally help in the search for his little brother, lost following the earthquake in Nepal.

The Packed To The Rafters star is on his way to the Himalayan country from Los Angeles, determined to find Zachary.

Desperate search ... actor Hugh Sheridan will launch his own rescue mission to find his missing brother Zachary in Nepal. Picture: Facebook

The missing 20-year-old was trekking to Mount Everest base camp when the massive 7.8 magnitude quake struck at the weekend. He hasn’t been heard from since.

The death toll from the disaster has now passed 3,100. While the epicentre was in the Kathmandu region, the quake triggered a deadly avalanche on Everest.

Difficult operation ... rescuers use a makeshift stretcher to carry an injured person after an avalanche flattened parts of Everest base camp following the earthquake. Picture: AFP Photo

“Stay positive everyone,” Sheridan said via a message posted on Instagram. “I feel optimistic that he is alive and stuck.”

The actor plans to search the area around Everest base camp with a small crew, including a doctor. He has hired a helicopter and satellite telephone.

Final image ... Hugh Sheridan received this picture from his brother Zachary just before the earthquake struck. Picture: Instagram

Sheridan also offered to assist other Australians in the area to make contact with loved ones back home.

“We will have a satellite phone available for any Australian there who needs to reach home and tell their loved ones they’re OK. I know so many of us are still waiting to hear but communication is down.”

The message was contained in a caption of a photograph that the star uploaded, which was taken by his little brother just days before the quake struck.

“This was the last picture he sent me, he sure captured her beauty,” he said.

Growing fears ... hundreds of Australians are still unaccounted for following the earthquake in Nepal, which has killed more than 3,100 people. Picture: AFP Photo

Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said authorities had made contact with 830 Australians in the region and confirmed their safety.

However the Department of Foreign Affairs is till trying to reach hundreds of others who are missing.

“My heart goes out to every family who is still waiting to hear,” Sheridan said. “I’m looking forward to seeing my little brother and getting him out safely.”