source : the age
Missing hiker Lily Hooper has been found dead after eight days lost in the NSW Southern Highlands, after her family were initially told searchers had found her alive.
The family of the 18-year-old was informed she was discovered alive just after 11am on Thursday, before police told them they were still working to determine her condition. Police later confirmed Hooper had been found dead.
Family and friends were seen embracing and consoling each other at the search’s command post about midday on Thursday.
NSW Premier Chris Minns told parliament on Thursday morning that Hooper was found dead, minutes after telling parliament that she had been discovered alive.
“I’ve got some terrible news, and I apologise to the committee. But it seems as if the early advice was wrong, and Lily’s body’s been found, and she’s been found deceased,” Minns said.
“This is obviously devastating, and I’m just profoundly sad for a family and for all those concerned. I apologise to the community.”
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane called Hooper’s death “heartbreaking”, and expressed her sympathies to her family and friends as they confront an “unimaginable loss”.
“So many people had been hoping for Lily’s safe return and today’s news will be difficult and deeply felt,” Sloane said.
Hooper was last seen leaving her home in Oakdale, south-west of Sydney, at 8am on Wednesday last week to go on a hike through the national park.
Throughout the day, she remained in contact with her family, but they raised the alarm when she had not returned by 10pm.
Police found her Hyundai parked at the bottom of the challenging Bonnum Pic trail that night.
Close to 100 Australian Defence Force members joined the search, combining with other emergency services who had been looking for the teenager since she went missing a week ago.
Drones and helicopters scoured the national park from the sky, while officers scoured the bushland on horseback and motorbikes.
Firefighters, national park rangers, paramedics and SES volunteers were also involved in the search.
In a statement on Tuesday, Hooper’s family thanked others who had tried to help.
“We appreciate people who have made offers for the search but due to the terrain and conditions we ask just professional search teams continue,” the Hooper family said in the statement distributed by NSW Police.
It followed comments from her father Jim on Monday, who called into 2SM radio for an impromptu interview.
“I just want everyone to throw love and energy because we’ve got to go and find her, got to go find this kid … she’s got to be in there somewhere, mate,” he said.
More to come.
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