Sad news about a NSW bushwalker presumed dead in Tassie

[FatCanyoner]

TASMANIAN police believe there is no chance that a NSW bushwalker missing in the wilderness is still alive.
The search to find Paul Stephen Wilson, 49, of Tuggerah, which involved a Westpac rescue helicopter and 50 Search and Rescue officers and SES volunteers, has been called off.
He has not been heard from since March 26, when he hired a car in Hobart.
Police believe Mr Wilson set out four days ago on a bushwalk at Mount Field East walking track on Lake Dobson Road in the Mt Field National Park northwest of Hobart.
Inspector Stuart Scott said every effort had been made to find the bushwalker with police searching the area a number of times on the ground and by air.
"In our review of the search we have sought the advice of medical professionals with expertise in bushwalking and exposure, and advice to police is there is no longer the possibility of finding Mr Wilson alive," he said.
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/police-call-off-search-for-missing-bushwalker-paul-wilson-claiming-no-chance-of-survival/story-e6frfku0-1226317896151

[Strider]

Very sad indeed

[Ent]

The last few weeks have been tragic for the families. I sincerely hope that the planned meetings with Parks and the rescue services results in a constructive approach to reducing the number of actual and potential incidences. It may just be a sad statistical blip or indication of other things.

[phan_TOM]

Judging by a story I heard in the radio yesterday I think it may be an indication if other things ent. Namely more and more people venturing out unprepared for what Tassie can dish out and a general lack of commonsense. Take for example one guy who was found on cradle mountain wearing ugg boots and carrying a carton if beer...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-03/b ... ction=news

[Moondog55]

So why do they believe there is no hope? it is only 8 days isn't it? Has the weather been that bad or was the person involved so ill equipped?
Statistically one or two deaths in this age group is irrelevant and more likely due to existing health problems than any risk associated with actual bushwalking.
Personal opinion but; if you want "SAFE" stay in the nursing home; until then risk is perfectly acceptable, even high risk, it is always going to be a personal decision, hopefully based on a realistic assessment of any hazards

[gayet]

The story gives no indication as to the length of his supposed walk, so its feasible to assume it was a day walk and hence unlikely he would have carried enough gear to provide shelter or food or warmth if needed. The risks taken aren't just his own personal risks but the risk for those searching for him. While the searchers are far better prepared and equipped there is still a risk. I am not suggesting people shouldn't head out, nor that a search shouldn't be undertaken, but comes a point when the cost benefit analysis of continuing is in the negatives. This could be it.

He could also be somewhere else in the state by now and unaware he is on the missing list.....

Who knows.

There is also the difficulty in finding a balance between one person's acceptable personal risk level, and that of interested other parties. And such things fortunately can't be legislated. Provided individuals assess the risk for themselves, adequately and realistically, the rest of us need to accept their decision and whatever outcome eventuates.

[Moondog55]

When the news says that a "Bushwalker" is missing I immediately think of someone with at least the basics in a day pack. otherwise they are just a walker or tourist, I can understand looking for a missing tourist, that's simply good business sense and best practise.
I thought I just saw a news article saying he walked out safe and sound if a little cold and hungry.

My personal feeling is that things are already too safe and the more people who die the less attractive the walking is; and then the more I get the bush to myself, a very selfish attitude I know.

[Son of a Beach]

Apparently he was only equipped for a day walk. This could mean anything from carrying nothing, to carrying a fair amount of gear.

His car was still near the start of the track, so it's unlikely he walked out and was elsewhere in the state before the search commenced.

It is tragic and our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends.

It is also a reminder to the rest of us that we should be very prepared in what we carry, as well as in our minds to be sure we know can deal with a variety of situations, including breaking a leg while off the beaten track, for example.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Moondog, 8 days in Tassie is a lifetime!! Even in summer the temperature at night regularly drops WELL below 0 degrees over the 800m mark.

From a friends report who was helping in the search...

I was at Waterfall Valley (first hut on the Overland Track) last week. Two French boys arrived with space blankets for sleeping bags. Fortunately the weather forecast was good, but still they would have been very cold. They had youth and good conditions on their side, but things could have been a lot different.

Mainlanders and overseas visitors have no idea how treacherous Tasmanian bushwalking can be.

Tasmania is like nowhere else in the world, so I guess people just can't imagine how quickly the weather can change. There's nothing more disorienting/terrifying than being suddenly and completely clagged-in and I suspect that's what has happened to this man.

[Strider]

Moondog, 8 days in Tassie is a lifetime!!

It's a lifetime when you ARE prepared, let alone when you're NOT!

[doogs]

It's not just a Tassie problem similar things happen worldwide. I originate from Scotland and the number of incidents in the hills there involving English people far outnumber that of Scots. It is very hard to know what to do as we need the tourist dollar for our broke state but we can hardly show our wilderness areas in typical conditions as numbers would be down I think! Parks do have signs all over the places stating that you are entering a dangerous wilderness area but people are obviously blaisee about them until they get into trouble.
People are going to die it's just the nature of the game we play, it is up to each indivdual to minimise the risk it is going to happen to them. Hopefully through this forum people have become more educated about conditions in wilderness areas particularly Tasmania and are therefore better prepared when they visit them.

[Strider]

People are going to die it's just the nature of the game we play, it is up to each indivdual to minimise the risk it is going to happen to them. Hopefully through this forum people have become more educated about conditions in wilderness areas particularly Tasmania and are therefore better prepared when they visit them.

Well said doogs.

[Nuts]

Yer, I'd agree.

Like a postie and their dog stories those related about X walkers lacking Y brains and Z preparation would be heard on a daily basis by parks field staff. They might be shocking for short term volunteers or guides but watch the expression of a track ranger as the story is told.. such is the way of the world.

Recalling all the similar sad events (as best I can) many of the ones ending in tragedy are set up well before the walker even considers coming setting out. Medical conditions, some chronic illness, some related to lifestyle appear to be most common. Being practically under-prepared, getting lost or broken seem to generally result in less of a tragic outcome. Does keep our emergency services busy..

[Penguin]

But let us also remember the other walkers, especially from the mainland and from NZ, who are well prepared and have faced treacherous conditions during hikes in their home territory. We came across a very well prepared solo hiker in the WA's from Gippsland. Sure he could have improved a few small things about his gear, but he was no danger to himself or others. I have also seen gung-ho local hikers who have worried me.

People are going to die it's just the nature of the game we play, it is up to each indivdual to minimise the risk it is going to happen to them. Hopefully through this forum people have become more educated about conditions in wilderness areas particularly Tasmania and are therefore better prepared when they visit them.

It is about taking personal responsibility, as long as we minimise the risk to others if they come to our aid.

When my time is up, it would be great to be like Peter Dombrovsky, to breath your last where you love to be.

Condolences to the relatives, may they find out what happened in this case.

P

[ithomas]

When my time is up, it would be great to be like Peter Dombrovsky, to breath your last where you love to be.

I have never understood this lonely sentiment. I think that when most people breath their last they would rather be with the people they love - wherever that maybe.
Ian

[Strider]

When my time is up, it would be great to be like Peter Dombrovsky, to breath your last where you love to be.

I have never understood this lonely sentiment. I think that when most people breath their last they would rather be with the people they love - wherever that maybe.
Ian

Agreed.

[FatCanyoner]

When my time is up, it would be great to be like Peter Dombrovsky, to breath your last where you love to be.

I have never understood this lonely sentiment. I think that when most people breath their last they would rather be with the people they love - wherever that maybe.
Ian

I'm completely with Penguin on this one. I've long-ago told my wife this, and she is fine with it. Especially if I was diagnosed with a terminal illness. It is much better than spending your final days in the sterility of a hospital ward.
I think it was quite common for Aboriginals, when they were old and new it was almost their time, so head of to a sacred / significant place for them to die. I can think of nothing better than the closure that would come from this. Deliberately farewelling your loved ones, then making that slow solo shuffle out to a special place, sitting down with the grand expanse of nature opening before you, and waiting to rejoin it.

[Penguin]

I understand that Dombrovsky had a heart attack. To me that was an acceptable risk to go walking as if you were going to have a fatal event that would be one great place to be. Do I want to organise my life so I breathed my last in the wilderness I am not sure, but if I were fragile that would not stop be going.

This is one were it really is "to each their own". There is nothing more personal than ones mortality.

That is all a it heavy for a bushwalking site. There has to be a decent joke in there somewhere to lighten the mood

P

[ILUVSWTAS]

This is one were it really is "to each their own". There is nothing more personal than ones mortality.

That is all a it heavy for a bushwalking site. There has to be a decent joke in there somewhere to lighten the mood

P

Well said!!

And i'll think on the second bit and come back to it later....

[walkinTas]

Wow! Dying in the bush somewhere while doing what you enjoy, that's one thing, deliberately heading bush to die, and leaving a mess (and expense) for others to clean up, that's a whole different dimension.

Accidental death can happen to anyone, anywhere. An unknown medical condition, a single bad call or just one moment of indecision. Novice walkers might be at more risk, but experienced walkers aren't immune. Bushwalking comes with some risks. These can be mitigated to some extent by preparation, local knowledge, experience and common sense. Some things you can plan for and manage, but you can't completely eliminate the possibility you might die in the bush, unless you never ever go there. I'd rather die while bushwalking than die from a heart attack sitting on a couch worrying about the risk involved in bushwalking.

mod: OT conversation split to here

[Mountain Rocket]

Does anyone know if they managed to recover/find the body?

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Yes, I have been wondering about this too, but my Google searches have returned nothing new.

Reminds me of Clare Hutcheson at Pine Valley.

[pazzar]

There has been no trace of the man's body. The sniffer dogs lost trace after 3 days of searching. After the Sunday, the search was scaled back. The Police used the remaining days as training, as it was already planned that training would take place on this weekend anyway. I was at the S&R base on the Saturday morning, rallying some troops. There were about 30 volunteers, plus the Police, and the SES met up with them on site too. I'm sure that with such numbers, if he were there they would have found some trace of him. His car was found unlocked too, which could spark speculation. It is certainly a strange incident, and my condolences to the family.