An 87-year-old woman reported missing while bushwalking in the South-West after becoming lost overnight has been located safe following a coordinated search involving police and several partner agencies.
About 8pm on Friday 10 April 2026, police received a report the woman was overdue after going for a planned walk near the Donnelly River Village area, approximately 35 kilometres south-east of Nannup. Family members raised the alarm after attempts to locate her were unsuccessful and SMS contact ceased, with poor mobile phone coverage in the area contributing to difficulties.
Due to the woman's age, time of day, prevailing weather conditions and lack of contact, a coordinated land search of the area was commenced where several police resources were deployed, including a police aircraft and a drone. Assistance was also provided by the State Emergency Service (SES), the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and St John WA.
Around 1pm on Saturday 11 April 2026, police and DBCA officers located the woman on an isolated bush track approximately two kilometres east of the village. She was conveyed to the police command post where she was assessed by St John WA paramedics. Despite being dehydrated and tired, the woman had managed overnight by rationing a packet of raisins she was carrying with her. She was uninjured and later reunited with her family.
WA Police take this opportunity to remind the community that while exploring Western Australia's bush and regional areas can be rewarding, the terrain is vast and unforgiving if something goes wrong.
Police are increasingly seeing people enter remote or semi-remote areas for activities such as bushwalking, four-wheel driving and prospecting without adequate planning or equipment. These situations can result in large-scale search and rescue operations, placing lives and emergency service resources at risk.
Simple preparation can make a significant difference. Before heading out, people are urged to research local conditions, check weather forecasts and road closures, and ensure they understand the environment they are entering. Adequate food and water should be carried, along with appropriate clothing and essential safety equipment, including a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and, where possible, a satellite phone, particularly in areas with limited mobile phone coverage.
Police also encourage people to tell a family member or friend where they are going and when they expect to return, including details of their intended route, which greatly assisted search efforts in this incident.
If a person does become lost, simple actions can assist emergency services, including leaving visible signs for air crews, marking travel paths for ground teams and remaining with a vehicle where possible, as vehicles are often easier to locate than people on foot.
Further information, planning resources and checklists are available via the Adventure Smart website at www.adventuresmart.com.au   ;
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