The Northern Territory Police Force has suspended the search for a man missing near Alice Springs.
NT Police have held serious concerns for the welfare of 26-year-old Gach since he went missing in the afternoon of Monday July 28.
Extensive search efforts, coordinated by the NT Police Force’s Search and Rescue Section (SRS) was suspended late this afternoon following a fifth day of searching an area about 21km west of Alice Springs.
The search and rescue operation at its peak involved more than 50 personnel from NT Police, NT Emergency Services, NT Fire and Rescue Service, and Parks and Wildlife NT.
The search was conducted by personnel on foot, on ATVs and flying drones. The NT Police Dog Operations Unit, a Jet Ranger helicopter and a Challenger jet aircraft, deployed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, have also been involved in the search effort, which covered more than 500km² of difficult terrain since it started on Tuesday.
Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr said police had kept the family updated throughout the search and that they are aware it has been suspended.
The matter has now been handed to the NT Police Southern Crime Division for further investigation.
“I want to thank all the search teams who have done an excellent job covering a huge area over the past 5 days but, unfortunately, it hasn’t produced the result we hoped for,” Acting Sergeant Grotherr said.
“We continue to urge anyone who may have seen Gach in the vicinity of Larapinta Drive, Standley Chasm, or Simpsons Gap on the evening of Monday 28 July or if they have any other information to contact police on 131 444.”
Gach is described as being of Sudanese appearance, with dark skin, a slim build, short curly hair, and approximately 6 feet tall. He was last seen wearing cream tracksuit pants, a black t-shirt, a red/orange puffer jacket, and dark-coloured shoes.
