Police divers join search for boy missing after 'boating incident' in rapids at Fernhook Falls - ABC News

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-11/missing-boy-search-resumes-in-mt-frankland-national-park/100528694

Police divers join search for boy missing after 'boating incident' in rapids at Fernhook Falls

Sunday 10 Oct 2021 at 4:49pm

Police divers have joined the search for a boy missing in rapids in a national park on Western Australia's south coast.

Key points:

• The search continues for an eight-year-old boy missing in a national park on WA's rugged south coast
• The boy was last seen Sunday morning at his family's campsite at Fernhook Falls
• The area is a popular tourist site in the Mount Frankland National Park

Officers and 60 State Emergency Services volunteers continued the search for a second day at Fernhook Falls, about 30 kilometres north of Walpole, after the alarm was raised at 9:00am on Sunday.

A drone, divers and boat patrols focused on the rapids and basin at the falls, a popular camping and tourist spot in the Mount Frankland National Park.

Great Southern Police District Superintendent Kim Travers said the boy was involved in a "boating incident" but would not elaborate.

"Sadly, the young boy is missing after having some involvement in a boating incident," she said.

SES volunteers are using a boat in the search.(ABC Great Southern: Kyle Pauletto)

Superintendent Travers said the family were from the region and regular visitors to the falls.

"It's commonplace for them to camp, they have a hut here ... they know this area," she said.

"The young boy had been on the water with his family the preceding day.

"The family are shocked, they are anxious and waiting for us to find their boy."

Superintendent Kim Travers says poor weather has hampered the search.(ABC Great Southern: Kyle Pauletto)

Tough terrain and poor weather hampered the search on Monday as a cold front swept across the region.

"Extra rain has increased the flow of the river ... the water is flowing very quickly and high volume," Superintedent Travers said.

Police urge public not to join search

Locals in Walpole appealed to police to help the search, with many venting frustrations on social media.

Superintendent Travers said while the sentiment was appreciated, the area was too difficult to allow the public to help.

Sixty SES personnel are searching for the boy.(ABC Great Southern: Kyle Pauletto)

"The call from police is that we have enough resources," she said.

"The appreciation from the police to the community in offering volunteers is remarkable; it gives us a great feeling when we know the community is behind us."

Fernhook Falls is a section of the Deep River with cascading waterfalls and pools.

A man drowned at the falls in a fishing accident in 2013.

Jason @BeardedOverland www.beardedadv.blogspot.com