Tasmania Police and State Emergency Service search teams have been active in the South Riana area over the weekend to determine the source of mystery cries for help heard coming from dense bushland on Saturday night.
Police conducted searches of the rural area near Wyllies Road, Riana, late Saturday night and then South Riana on Sunday, but have not located a person, items of interest or any other sign that a person in distress is in the area.
However, police have determined the nature of the cries for help – first heard by a resident and then later by officers in attendance – require further investigation.
As part of the investigation, police are seeking information from the public if they are aware of any potential missing person near the Blythe River, in the vicinity of the South Riana Dam, in the state's North-West.
If anyone has information in relation to someone that was planning to visit this area and has not been heard from, or they have been unable to contact them, please notify police on 131 444.
About 8.15pm on Saturday, police received a call from a resident saying he had heard cries for help, in possibly a male voice, coming from behind Wyllies Road, Riana. The person tried to get a response, but was not successful.
Police attended shortly after and also heard the calls for help, but were unable to communicate with the source, or find any trace of a person in distress.
A search of the area was conducted by Tasmania Police Search and Rescue, including the use of police drones. However, due to the difficult, heavily wooded terrain, poor lighting and lack of response from a person, the search was suspended about 3am.
In daylight hours on Sunday, Tasmania Police Search and Rescue personnel, along with SES volunteers, conducted further comprehensive searches of the bushland with the support of the Westpac Rescue helicopter
No potential persons of interest were identified.
The search will be reviewed in the morning.
