‘Glimmer of hope’ remains in search for young backpackers missing off NSW beach

Author : mamun Published: February 19, 2019

Updated

February 20, 2019 07:06:58

Photo:
Hugo Palmer and Erwan Ferrieux were reported missing on Sunday. (Instagram: Supplied)

New South Wales Police are holding onto a “glimmer of hope” that two young European backpackers are still alive as rescuers resume search operations at a Port Macquarie beach this morning.

Key points:

The search area in the bay area of Shelly Beach has been expanded
NSW Police said it is still a search and rescue, but it may change to a recovery operation in the afternoon
The Englishman’s relatives in New Zealand were contacted and would likely fly over

Englishman Hugo Palmer, 20, and his French companion Erwan Ferrieux, 21, were travelling along the east coast before they were reported missing at the weekend.

Personal items — including towels, sunglasses and car keys — belonging to the tourists were found in their hire car at Shelly Beach on Sunday night.

NSW Police Chief Inspector Mick Alridge said dozens of officers would continue the search in an expanded area today.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and surf life savers are helping police.

“It’s definitely still a search and rescue at this stage,” the Chief Inspector said.

“We’re holding onto that glimmer of hope [but] we’ll have consideration later this afternoon whether we move into a recovery or not.

“It’s been a few days now, we’ll do our best.”

Photo:
Mr Palmer and Mr Ferrieux in 2014. (Facebook: Supplied)

If rescue options are exhausted, he said the search strategy would shift.

“If we can’t find them alive, [we’ll look into] where they will be and let’s do our best to find them.”

Chief Inspector Aldridge said “choppy” winds would make it difficult for search boats and divers.

He said Mr Palmer’s family had been informed and it was “just a matter of time” before the French embassy and consulate established contact with Mr Ferrieux’s family.

The Englishman has relatives in New Zealand who are expected to travel to Australia.

Photo:
Mr Palmer posted to social media about their travels across Melbourne and Sydney. (Instagram: Supplied)

“It is a difficult situation,” Chief Inspector Alridge said.

“The boys have arrived in Australia, it looks like, last November with a group of friends and it’s had an impact on them as well.”

Mr Palmer had documented his travels with Mr Ferrieux and others across Australia on social media since November 1.

The last post was on February 16 and featured the same silver Commodore station wagon their belongings were found in.

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