The body of a 16-year-old bushwalker has been found in a creek in the Blue Mountains National Park, ending a search that began after he went missing during a hike with a friend.
Police said the teenager and his 17-year-old friend traveled to Leura train station on Tuesday before walking to Mount Hay to start a three-day hike. On Wednesday, just before 6pm, the two became separated, and the older hiker activated his personal locator beacon (PLB).
A land and air search was launched, and the 17-year-old was winched to safety from the Acacia Flat campground in the Blue Gum Forest. The body of the missing 16-year-old was found about 1pm on Thursday in a creek in the same area.
A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death. The Acacia Flat campground is a remote site accessible only by difficult trails, including steep cliffs and hundreds of stairs.
Sonya Muhlsimmer, president of the Upper Blue Mountains Bushwalking Club, said it was easy to get lost near the campsite due to narrow tracks. She praised the use of the PLB, calling it a lifesaver, and urged hikers to carry maps and avoid separating from their group.
