A bushwalker has been found more than 12 hours after he went missing in the Olney State Forest, about 24 kilometres west of Morisset in NSW.
Police were called after the 52-year-old man became separated from a family member while bushwalking and failed to return to his site at The Basin Campground.
A command post was established at The Basin Campground, and a multi-agency coordinated land and air search commenced by Hunter Valley Police District, with the assistance of PolAir, Police Rescue, NSW SES, NSW Ambulance, NSW RFS, and VRA.
PolAir eventually located the missing bushwalker yesterday morning and he was winched up to the aircraft and flown to George Downes Drive at Bucketty where he was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
SES workers help in the search for a missing bushwalker. PIC: SES NSW
The man was treated for mild hypothermia, dehydration and abrasions, before being taken to Gosford Hospital for further assessment.
Unfortunately, these sorts of search and rescue operations have become all too common.
Earlier this year, after a 71-year-old bushwalker was rescued in in the NSW Blue Mountains, emergency personnel praised the man for carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB).
NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Deputy Unit Commander, Caro Ryan OAM, said at the time the device had been critical in helping find the man.
“We’d like to remind anyone else heading out in the bush to think before you ‘TREK’. That includes taking enough water, food, equipment and medical supplies, registering your trip, carrying an emergency personal locator beacon and keeping to your planned route,” she said. “If you do happen to find yourself lost in the bush, some tips for setting off your beacon include not waiting until it is getting dark … if you set off your Beacon early, there is enough daylight for rescuers to come and get you.”
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) says that, across the country, land-based search and rescue (SAR) incidents are increasing in frequency and complexity … due in part to more people venturing into unfamiliar environments.
In 2025-26, AMSA responded to 832 land-based SAR incidents, and this figure doesn’t include incidents which police may have responded to without AMSA involvement.
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