Police are continuing to search for a Sydney man who was reported missing on Sunday night following a private dance party in Lower Portland bushland in the Hawksbury area.
ABC are reporting that the Tiemuzhen Chalaer’s friends reported his disappearance after he failed to return from walking away into the bush to find a toilet stop. They didn’t realise that the 24 year-old was missing until they returned home.
“It was a private event, a number of people have traveled out to the area to camp for the weekend,” said Inspector Suzanne Rhode-Sanders. “There’s no facilities out there for the toilet or anything, so he was last seen wandering off, believed to be going to the toilet, and he’s not been seen since.”
The man is reported to have wandered into the bush sometime between 6:30am and 9am on Sunday morning.
“As the event has wrapped up, it’s one of those situations where everyone else was assuming he was with someone else, and it was only when people returned to their homes in Sydney they realised he hadn’t returned,” said Police Chief Inspector Garry Sims.
The campsite from which Chalaer went missing was adjacent to rugged bushland, and this morning police from Hawksbury Local Area Command were joined by Police Resuce and PolAir in their search.
“We have a rescue coordinator on scene as well as police from the local area command, assisted by rural fire services, SES, public order, and also dog squad,” Inspector Rhode-Sanders said. “And PolAir have done an extensive search over the area this morning.”
“Now we’re just doing a grid search of the area and hopefully we’ll locate him.”
Mr Chaler is described as being of Asian appearance; 1.7 metres tall, having a shaved head, dark brown eyes and pale skin. Police have also revealed that he had no supplies with him and also has a medical condition.
“The search will continue, obviously, until it’s no longer safe for our people to search and if he’s not found we’ll then resume the search tomorrow morning,” said Inspector Rhode-Sanders.
If anyone has information police have requested that they call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
