The experienced 18-year-old hiker suddenly vanished without a trace… her car was found late at night, but no one knows where Lily Hooper went
The search for an experienced teenage hiker missing in a national park has entered its third day.
Search teams relaunched efforts to find 18-year-old Lily Hooper in Nattai National Park, in the NSW Southern Highlands, about 7am on Saturday.
Hooper left her home on Burragorang Rd in Oakdale about 8am on Wednesday to go hiking in the national park but has not been seen since.
The only clue to her whereabouts has been her car, which was found about 11pm on Wednesday at the beginning of the Bonnum Pic walking trail along Wanganderry Rd.
NSW Police Detective Inspector Ben Bowles said the experienced bushwalker had been texting her family about the hike but was now “well overdue from her anticipated completion time”.
Police enquiries suggest Hooper may have reached the summit of Bonnum Pic mid-morning on Wednesday but has not been heard from since.
Bowles said police remained “very hopeful” Hooper would be found and that there was no information to suggest foul play.
Hooper’s family has been joined by multiple agencies in their search effort, including local police, police rescue, drones, an ambulance heliopter, SES officers and firefighters.
While those efforts have scoured the walking trail and the broader national park, there has been no sign of the teenager.
Crews are facing “fairly rugged” terrain and “quite extensive and rough bushland”, Bowles said.
Lily’s aunt, Sheridan Munro, said the family was “desperately trying to find her”.
According to the teenager’s social media, she returned last week from Thailand, where she had been taking Muay Thai lessons.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was “praying for good news” as the search continued.
“Our heart goes out to that young walker’s family,” he said.
“We know this must be heartbreaking and incredibly anxious.
“I’m praying for good news.”
Lily is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of slim build, with long blonde hair and blue eyes.
She was last seen wearing a shirt and shorts.
Anyone with information on Lily’s whereabouts, or walked the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail since Wednesday, is urged to contact Moss Vale Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
SOURCE: 7 NEWS
https://7news.com.au/news/search-continues-for-missing-teenage-hiker-lily-hooper-in-nattai-national-park-c-22727962
