Body of missing tourist located in bushland – Central Coast

Body of missing bushwalker located – Central Coast

A body, believed to be that of a woman who went missing while bushwalking yesterday, has been located following a multi-agency search on the state’s Central Coast.

Just after 8pm (Friday 13 January 2023), officers from Brisbane Water Police District were notified that a 78-year-old woman became lost while bushwalking on a trail.

Police were told the woman – who is visiting from the USA – was in bushland in the vicinity of Middle Head, between Pearl and Patonga Beach.

A multi-agency search of the area immediately commenced, with assistance from the Dog Unit, PolAir, Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW Ambulance, the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter and Marine Rescue.

The search was suspended about 3am and resumed this morning along the coast line, in the bushland and from the air.

During the search today (Saturday 14 January 2023), a body, believed to be that of the missing woman, was sighted by PolAir in Patonga before being retrieved by ground crews.

The body is yet to be formally identified.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.