Overview
- William, a 17-year-old from the Latrobe Valley, walked a short distance from his Walhalla East campsite to fetch items and did not return after a short walk on Friday, prompting his friend to raise the alarm.
- Police have mounted a large multi-agency search coordinated from a Cowwarr staging area that includes specialist search-and-rescue teams, dog squads, a helicopter, water police and SES volunteers.
- Search teams found an esky a short way up the track and, on Monday, additional small items linked to William were reported, but there has been no confirmed sighting or recovery to date.
- Officials say cold weather and a late dusting of snow on nearby ranges have increased hypothermia risk because William was wearing only shorts and work boots and did not take his phone.
- Police are appealing for public help to identify a bearded man and a woman who stopped in an older white ute with a dark canopy on Stoney Creek Road between about 7.30pm and 8.30pm and may have information useful to the search.