The Northern Territory Police Force has suspended the search for a man missing near Alice Springs.
NT Police have held serious concerns for the welfare of 26-year-old
Gach since he went missing in the afternoon of Monday July 28.
Extensive search efforts, coordinated by the NT Police Force's Search
and Rescue Section (SRS) was suspended late this afternoon following a
fifth day of searching an area about 21km west of Alice Springs.
The search as rescue operation at its peak involved more than 50
personnel from NT Police, NT Emergency Services, NT Fire and Rescue
Service, and Parks and Wildlife NT.
The search was conducted by personnel on foot, on ATVs and flying
drones. The NT Police Dog Operations Unit, a Jet Ranger helicopter and
a Challenger jet aircraft, deployed by the Australian Maritime Safety
Authority, have also been involved in the search effort, which covered
more than 500km² of difficult terrain since it started on Tuesday.
Acting Sergeant Chris Grother said police had kept the family updated
throughout the search and that they are aware it has been suspended.
The matter has now been handed to the NT Police Southern Crime
Division for further investigation.
"I want to thank all the search teams who have done an excellent job
covering a huge area over the past 5 days but, unfortunately, it
hasn't produced the result we hoped for," Acting Sergeant Grother
said.
"We continue to urge anyone who may have seen Gach in the vicinity of
Larapinta Drive, Standley Chasm, or Simpsons Gap on the evening of
Monday 28 July or if they have any other information to contact police
on 131 444."
Gach is described as being of Sudanese appearance, with dark skin, a
slim build, short curly hair, and approximately 6 feet tall. He was
last seen wearing cream tracksuit pants, a black t-shirt, a red/orange
puffer jacket, and dark-coloured shoes.
