Missing hiker found safe and well in Tasmanian wilderness
A Victorian hiker who was missing in snowy Tasmanian wilderness for several days has been found alive.
Search crews had spent two days looking for Michael Bowman, 57, in the state's Central Highlands after he failed to return from a bushwalk on Saturday.
Michael Bowman, 57, an experienced bushwalker was found today after failing to return from a hike on Saturday. PR IMAGE
He was found this afternoon in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and is being taken by helicopter to the Royal Hobart Hospital for precautionary medical checks.
Efforts to find Mr Bowman, an experienced bushwalker from Mt Waverley, had been hampered by heavy snow.
It is believed he had an emergency beacon with him but it's not known if that was activated.
Police believe Mr Bowman had set up camp to do walks in the Mt Cuvier region before blizzard-like weather set in over the weekend.
Several bushwalkers have been rescued by helicopter from the Cradle Mountain area in recent days, including a British man and Hobart school group from Dove Lake.
A West Australian father and his daughter who became stranded by snow in the region two days ago have also been retrieved safe and well.
They were reached by a search party this afternoon and were flown by helicopter to safety.
Yesterday morning around 10.30am an EPIRB was activated by two NSW walkers in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park near Junction Lake. PR IMAGE
The man's partner Tracey Koziniec told the ABC they were well-equipped for the cold.
"They slept warm and had a warm breakfast," she said.
"I am happy and aware there are other families who have not slept as well last night."
Helicopters are checking every hut on the popular Overland Track for bushwalkers who may be in trouble.
Police have arrested an adult and youth, who were thought to be missing, over the theft of a car near Lake Pedder in the state's rugged southwest.
A supplied image shows the Westpac Rescue Helicopter responding to a distress call in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania, Sunday, July 14, 2019. PR IMAGE
They are trying to find a second youth, and have concerns for their welfare given the weather.
Bushwalkers including a Brisbane man aged in his 40s also had to be rescued on Monday from the northwest end of Lake St Clair.
Another two NSW hikers were plucked from the Walls of Jerusalem National Park to the south earlier in the day.
People are urged not to go bushwalking unless they are well-prepared for freezing weather.
The temperature at Lake St Clair dropped to 2C overnight, with strong winds and rain expected to wash away the weekend snow dump.
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