another tourist missing why do the pay a guide to lose them
SHADE from old-growth trees and river
water are seen as the best hope for the survival of a German tourist missing in the searing heat of a West Australian national
park.
The 63-year-old woman was last seen on a walking trail in the
Geikie Gorge National Park, 20km from
Fitzroy Crossing in WA's
Kimberley region, just before 2pm (WST) yesterday.
Police said it was understood she was part of an organised tour to
the gorge, but it was not clear how she was separated from the group.
"I'm not 100 per cent sure of the circumstances. She was involved in a hiking party and has become separated from the group," Constable Keith Fay, who is co-ordinating the search, said today.
The temperature at
Fitzroy Crossing peaked at 45.1C yesterday and did not dip below 26C before climbing towards today's forecast top of 43C.
It is not known if the woman was carrying any
water or food with her when she became lost.
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Authorities said old growth trees in the
park may provide shelter from the harsh climate and the
water of the
Fitzroy River, which has carved
Geikie Gorge to depths of 30m in some
places, could be safely consumed.
"A good thing we do have in our favour, obviously, is that there is a river in the actual search area ... that is fresh
water," Const Fay said.
"So if she is able to make it there she can drink that
water and that (helps things) a little."
However, it was possible the woman may have inadvertently walked away from the
water source, he said.
The search for the tourist was began at 4pm yesterday and it continued throughout the night, with additional personnel boosting the party to about 25 people this morning.
Police, Fire and Emergency
Services Authority personnel, State Emergency Service volunteers and Conservation and Land Management employees spent today canvassing the
park on foot and by boat, while a helicopter scoured the region from above.
Late last month, two English tourists sparked a rescue operation after ignoring a
warning sign and spending an unprepared night in
Karijini National Park in WA's
Pilbara region.
In June, a tour operator and 10 clients had to be rescued from the same national
park after spending a night in freezing conditions without food or shelter.
The same month, an 85-year-old American tourist plunged to his death from
Mitchell Falls, a popular
Kimberley tourist attraction.