This was published 4 months ago
Missing man found alive in desert days after police search called off
By Alexander Darling and Hannah Hammoud
A 26-year-old man survived seven days lost in the Northern Territory desert by drinking water from discarded bottles before being found alive, despite police calling off their search.
Members of the local South Sudanese community, led by the African Association of Central Australia, continued the search for Gach Top after police suspended efforts five days into their search.
An image of Gach Top that police released in the hopes of finding him.Credit: NT Police
Roughly 30 young men and women, mobilised by association chair Chuol Yat, combed 10 kilometres of terrain for up to five hours on Monday with the hope that Top was still alive.
“The community search was a result of the police decision to suspend the search after five days … the community still had hope that Gach would be found alive,” he said.
After hours of searching, Top was eventually found by members of a local Indigenous community, who notified his family.
“He was wrapped in a blanket and was exhausted,” Yat said. “The family, including the community, are overjoyed because many of us felt that this young man was not dead. He was found alive, and everybody was so happy.”
Top had been missing since late afternoon on Monday, July 28, and was last seen wearing a red or orange puffer jacket, cream-coloured tracksuit pants, and dark-coloured runners.
NT Police said the alarm was raised after “he failed to attend work for a rostered shift that night … Gach was driving his red Mazda CX5, which was located [that Monday] morning by police”.
His disappearance sparked a huge emergency services search by over 50 personnel, including police, NT Emergency Services, NT Fire and Rescue Service, and Parks and Wildlife NT, covering 500 kilometres of rough terrain.
St John Ambulance NT services director Andrew Thomas said Top was seen walking “dazed and confused” before emergency services were called.
NT Police and emergency services gather in the search for Gach Top in desert, west of Alice Springs.Credit: NT Police
They quickly treated him for dehydration before taking him to Alice Springs Hospital.
“He told responders he had survived by drinking water from discarded bottles found along the roadside,” Thomas said.
“We commend the local community members whose vigilance helped bring this situation to a safe outcome. Their actions likely made all the difference.”
Police informed Top’s family they had suspended their search for him five days into the effort.
On Saturday, Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr thanked the search teams, but said the matter hand been handed to a crime division for further investigation.
Top was found near Jay Creek on Monday night.
“The Northern Territory Police Force no longer holds concerns for the welfare of a 26-year-old man who hasn’t been since last Monday,” police said in a statement.
“Police would like to thank members of the public for their assistance.”
Gach Top went missing in the desert near Alice Springs.Credit: NT Police
Top, who originally lived in Melbourne before moving to the Northern Territory, had reportedly left his phone in his car after driving to an isolated area.
The missing person case captured national attention, with several Melburnians celebrating the news Gach had been found.
With Cassandra Morgan
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