Police concerned for missing Canberra man Peter Morris last seen in Namadgi Visitor Centre
Posted
Police are concerned for the welfare of a Canberra man who went missing at the Namadgi Visitor Centre early yesterday afternoon.
Peter Morris was last seen asking rangers about the best birdwatching spots at the Tharwa park about 1:00pm.
While the 56-year-old was a regular birdwatcher, search coordinator Senior Constable Paul Yates said he was unfamiliar with the area.
ACT Policing's Station Sergeant Greg O'Ryan said Mr Morris drove there alone and his car remained locked inside the park's gates.
"As far as we are aware he hasn't returned," Mr O'Ryan said.
"We are not sure what supplies he had on him."
Station Sergeant O'Ryan said Mr Morris' family alerted authorities last night and were "obviously concerned".
"We know there are lots of bushwalkers, other birdwatchers, people who utilise this area; if anyone has any information that may assist us — or indeed if he may have tried to get a lift home overnight because he wasn't able to get his car out of the carpark here — [please contact us]."
The ACT State Emergency Service search coordinator Senior Constable Paul Yates said the search, which started at 8:30am today, had been extensive and "fairly full-on".
"We are searching areas to the south of the Namadgi Visitor Centre — areas known as Tharwa Sandwash to our East and trails to our south — and we're being assisted by the [NSW] Rural Fire Service.
"The terrain is quite hilly and mountainous to the east."
He said more than 30 emergency workers were working against the clock to keep searching.
"He's not suffering from any medical conditions that would have any effect on his wellbeing," Senior Constable Yates said.
"The weather is still very dry and will be cool at night, but those conditions are favourable for the search."
Police describe Mr Morris as Caucasian, about 180 centimetres tall, solidly built, with dark blond hair.
They say he was last seen wearing dark-coloured track pants with brown hiking boots and may be carrying binoculars.
Topics: missing-person, act, australia, canberra-2600
