Missing Queensland man survives 18 days on wild mushrooms, dam water
A Queensland man missing for 18 days after his car became bogged has been found alive after eating wild mushrooms and drinking dam water.
Robert Weber, 58, is checked over by paramedics after being found on Sunday morning in the Gympie region.Credit:Queensland Police Service
Robert Weber, 58, was last seen with his dog leaving a hotel in Kilkivan, about 170 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, in a white 2000 model Ford Falcon sedan on January 6.
Police said Mr Weber, who is from Narangba in the Moreton Bay region north of Brisbane, had planned to drive about 410 kilometres to Dululu, south of Rockhampton, and arrive there the day after he disappeared.
Police officers, State Emergency Service volunteers and local community members spent a week searching dense bushland, rivers, dams and steep terrain during wet conditions in the Kilkivan area before the search was suspended on January 20.
But around 9am on Sunday, a local property owner found him near a dam about three kilometres from where his car became bogged at Mudlo Road in Tansey.
“He remained at his car with his dog for three days before running out of water,” Queensland police said in a statement.
The images distributed by police of Robert Weber and his dog as part of the missing person appeal.Credit:Queensland Police Service
“He left on foot and became lost and remained at a dam, where he survived by sleeping on the ground, drinking dam water and eating mushrooms.
“The dog has not been located.”
Mr Weber was taken to hospital suffering from exposure to the elements, but was otherwise well.
Toby Crockford is a breaking news reporter at the Brisbane Times