Search continues for missing bushwalker

Police remain concerned for a Flinders Island man who failed to return from a one-month hike in the state’s far South-West.

Missing walker Jim McLean set out for Melaleuca from the Tahune on a month-long trek. Picture: GAIL ANDERSSON

A 76-YEAR-OLD bushwalker missing in rugged wilderness in the state’s far South-West has been described as “a tough old bugger” who often goes on risky adventures alone.

Jim McLean, of Flinders Island, was reported missing by the National Parks and Wildlife Services on December 14 after failing to return from an expected one-month trek from Tahune to Melaleuca.

He signed a registration book at the Huon Track entrance on November 13, indicating that he would return on December 13.

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Lois Ireland, who owns the Bowman’s general store at Whitemark on Flinders Island and regularly speaks with Mr McLean, told the Mercury he often went away without notifying anyone of his plans.

“He’s an adventurer, a risk taker and very accident prone,” she said. “He’s been known to take off without letting anyone know where he’s going. Some years ago, he told me he was flown out of the South-West near dead after trying to do the South West track.

“He’s a highly intelligent man but very eccentric.”

Ms Ireland said Mr McLean had no family on Flinders Island and lived in a caravan on a block of land.

James Hugh McLean, 76, of Flinders Island, who is missing in the South-West National Park,

“He’s a tough old bugger but people are concerned for him,” she said. “We’re a caring community and we’d like to hope that he’s all right.”

Search and Rescue crews and SES volunteer wilderness walkers spent Friday and Saturday searching around the three main tracks that stretch between Melaleuca and the start of the Huon Track near the Picton River at Tahune.

Acting Inspector Andrew O’Dwyer last week said there was unconfirmed information that Mr McLean might have placed food packages at strategic locations during previous walks and stated he had enough provisions for 40 days.

It is believed Mr McLean is not carrying a satellite phone or personal location beacon.

Hobart Walking Club president Geoff O’Hara said there was “gullies, rivers, hills and scrub across the large search area.”

“It’s a well-marked route that an experienced bushwalked could do quite easily,” he said.

“If he’s got food and fitness he could be enjoying the wilderness, but lots of things could go wrong if he’s gone off on a side trip into really rough terrain.”

Anyone who may have come across Mr McLean either during the walk or who may have seen him since is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.

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