Body found at Patonga

NSW PolAir was involved in spotting the body.

A body believed to be that of a woman who went missing while bushwalking on January 13, was located at Patonga following a multi-agency search on January 14.

Just after 8 pm on January 13, 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 Beach 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 at about 3 am and resumed later in the morning along the coastline, in the bushland and from the air.

A body, believed to be that of the missing woman, was sighted by PolAir at 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.

Source:
Media release, Jan 14
NSW Police