Melbourne man missing in NSW bush as three hikers die in Tasmania

The search for a missing Melbourne hiker in Kosciuszko National Park has entered its fifth day, while Tasmania reels from three bushwalking deaths in less than a week.

Hadi Nazari, 23, was last seen by two friends on Boxing Day as they descended the Hannels Spur Trail in the NSW park, at the tail end of a multi-day trek near Australia’s highest mountain.

Hadi Nazari, a keen hiker, went missing on Boxing Day in Kosciuszko National Park.

Nazari’s friends say they had arranged to meet at the Geehi campground, but when he failed to arrive, they began searching for him before raising the alarm.

Emergency services began searching for Nazari – who is an experienced hiker – the evening of December 26, and said there were concerns for his welfare.

Nazari’s sister, Zahra Nazari, told Nine News her brother didn’t have much food remaining when he went missing, and he’d texted her on Christmas Day to say he’d be home on Boxing Day.

“This is the biggest trauma of my life, you know, not seeing him for so many days, not talking to him for so many days,” she said. “I just look at his pictures all the time, I pray to God that he comes back ... soon.”

On Tuesday, NSW Police’s Jillian Gibson said authorities had found no sign of Nazari, but were continuing to search with the help of specialised volunteers, 28 of whom were flown into the area on Monday.

“It’s not just like going for a walk up a hill, it is dense bushland with high altitude, and scaling it is very difficult,” said Gibson.

“It’s some of the most rugged terrain in NSW. It’s very steep, very vegetated and quite remote … the heat is also an issue. He had camping tent, poles and adequate clothing, [so] that increases our hopes.”

Victorian bushwalker dies in Tasmania

A man in his 30s from Victoria died after falling while bushwalking at Federation Peak in Tasmania’s south-west on Monday morning, marking the state’s third trekking death in a week.

Tasmanian Police said two of the man’s bushwalking companions raised the alarm after he fell from a height about 11am and a search started on Monday afternoon.

“The Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter and ground crews recommenced search activities this morning and located the man about 9am, where sadly he was confirmed deceased,” police said in a statement on Tuesday.

The man’s body and the two other walkers were flown out of the dense bushland. “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time,” the police statement said.

Federation Peak, TasmaniaCredit: Tourism Tasmania

On December 28, another bushwalker discovered the body of a 54-year-old man on a track at Western Arthur Range Traverse in Tasmania’s Southwest National Park about 11am.

The Queensland man was believed to have been walking alone, and initial police investigations indicated his death was not suspicious.

The 58-kilometre Western Arthur Range Traverse walk features very rough, steep and unmarked tracks and is recommended for very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, according to the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.

On Christmas Day, a man in his 60s who set out to go bushwalking was found dead at Cradle Mountain National Park in Tasmania’s Central Highlands.

Emergency services found the man near Hansons Peak about 12.30pm on December 25. A report will be prepared for the coroner after preliminary investigations also suggested the death was not suspicious.

Another two bushwalkers were rescued on Christmas Eve after encountering trouble while trekking near Federation Peak.

The men in their 20s activated a personal locator beacon about 8pm on December 23 after they became disoriented on a walk without equipment. The men were found uninjured the next morning.

Senior Constable Cam Rennie warned on Sunday: “The weather in Tasmania can change rapidly and dramatically, so it is important that all walkers prepare for the worst.”

With AAP

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