William Tyrrell inquest: the frantic triple-0 call which raised the alarm on missing child

The frantic triple-0 call saying William Tyrrell was missing has been played at the opening of the inquest into his disappearance.

Three-year-old William Tyrrell was wearing a Spider-Man outfit when he disappeared. Picture: Supplied

“My son is missing.”

These were among the first words spoken by William Tyrrell’s foster mother, during a frantic triple-0 call made on the day of his disappearance.

“He’s three-and-a-half,” she continued. “We’ve been looking for him for 15 or 20 minutes … it’s out of character.”

The call was played during a Coroner’s Court inquest into William’s disappearance, which opened in Sydney today.

William’s foster parents, and his biological father, as well as one of his biological grandmothers, are present, sitting at opposite ends of the court.

The fact that William was in State care when he disappeared is a matter of interest, and inquiry.

William went missing from his foster mother’s house on September 12, 2014.

In the call to triple-0, his foster mum said: “He’s about two-and-a-half feet, he’s wearing a Spider-Man outfit. He’s got big browny-green coloured eyes (and) a freckle on top of his head, when you part the hair on the left hand side.”

She gives his name: “William Tyrrell.”

Asked if there was anyone suspicious in the area, she says: “No, no.”

Later, she would remember two “aged, unkempt cars” parked unusually close together.

Police swarmed the area, immediately suspecting abduction. They searched dams, drains, and a local cemetery.

A “very substantial” search effort was in place in a relatively short period time, Mr Craddock said.

“It was not disorganised. It was well organised, and methodical … it kept on going for days and days, he said.

“Instinct tells one that it’s likely that he was abducted. He likely wasn’t in the area after about 10.30am.

“I expect the evidence may show that William didn’t fall down a drain, or get lost in the bush.

“I expect it is likely that he was taken. If the evidence establishes that William was abducted, that conclusion is chilling.”

It means, he said, that “a person snatched a three-year-old from the safety of a quiet backyard.

“And that person … remains in our community.”

A very substantial search effort was in place in a relatively short period of time, counsel assisting the coroner, Gerard Craddock SC, said in his opening address.

The inquest continues.