Bushwalk Australia

This post is a plea for help on behalf of the family of Prabh Srawn who has been missing in the Snowy Mountains since May 13. We, the family, of Prabh are reaching out with the hopes of assembling private search parties to trek out through various paths in the hopes we can find our brother and bring him back home to his family.

We are hoping to have teams formulated of experienced hikers/bushwalkers who are familiar with the terrain which will be experienced on the trails of Mount Kosciuszko and surrounding trails as we would like to maximize the area being covered by all these search parties. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated by the family and friends of Prabh. Interested parties are urged to contact Reeta Johal at [*** Email address removed by admin for public safety concerns ***], and I would like to emphasize we need highly experienced individuals as we would not like to endanger anyone’s life and as Prabh has been missing for such a lengthy period time is of the essence and we need to make these search parties as efficient as possible. I would like to stress this matter is urgent and necessary and we require your assistance as soon as possible. Also all travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the family of Prabh Srawn. Feel free to state any and all experience and/or credentials as we require several large specialized teams of individuals who have extensive knowledge and skills to complete the trek.
We thank you in advance for helping our family bring our brother Prabh Srawn back home.

you cant run a search independant form the authorities. , you end up just overlapping what they are already doing. police only use approved people to search as they are trained properly, you cant put untrained individuals into mountain search at this time of year. it causes as many problems as it tries to resolve...

There are a couple of reports on this, i'll leave them open for admin to look at. I approved the post.

I'd agree, it would be best to contact the authorities and perhaps work in co-operation with them. I'm not aware of anything 'illegal' in asking for help, faced with the same situation I'd like to think that a community forum would leave open the possibility to do the same thing.. (personal opinion) but anyone considering offering their help or qualified advice can also help with determining the best way a group could join or conduct a search. They could also contact the OP at that email address if they represent one of the local authorities involved.

Best wishes for Reeta and the family for a positive outcome.

I'm not aware of what is happening on the ground but just to add that my assurance to the family that (in my experience and probably on behalf of the bushwalking community) i'm sure local rescuers are very well trained and would approach any search in a thorough and professional manner.

PS. Yes, I didn't realise there were so many repeats. i think one is enough to get coverage here and focus any useful discussion.

From my understanding, the family of the missing hiker has already been told to not make public pleas for search parties, as it puts more people (experienced people) at risk.

Whilst I hope that the missing hiker is found safe and well, and genuinely feel for his family who have come to Australia to help find their loved one, I feel that asking for help in forums could potentially make an already dangerous situation more dangerous.

Again... My thoughts are with the family, and really hope that he makes it home safe and well.

Yeah, thanks, I'll lock the topic for now till we get a chance to discus it.

I think it brings some interesting questions, forum role as a media instrument etc..
Personally.. that would be more likely 'asked' than 'told' ? and there should be a difference? (trying to imagine myself in their shoes at some future date). Anyhow.. perhaps an interesting discussion for another topic??

It seems like a legitimate post to me, hence approval..
I'm sure everyone is aware of the pitfalls of re-numeration, providing details, legitimacy or otherwise of forum posts and can act on their own volition. If anyone thinks this needs to be brought to attention of authorities then they can do so.

Hi All -- I can understand the anguish of the family and why they would like to take this action. I understand that there is a well co-ordinated search been undertaken at them moment. I have made a few phone calls and I am seeking more information about what if any action we can take - it is possible that a private search party could interfere with the formal search and drain resources. I will let you know more once I hear.
Thanks
Matt

I am the original poster and had posted this as I have gotten word that authorities have moved from a search and rescue to a recovery operation

Numbers will be scaled back as the days pass and entire search could be called off as of friday this week

if any contacts could be forwarded to us it would be greatly appreciated and we understand that experienced people will be required which is why we are not requesting that anyone just go out and begin searching we are asking volunteers to reach out so we can get some sort of plan in motion

I have heard back from people involved in the SAR.
The advice I have been given is that having private parties trying to help out will likely make this situation worse, for two main reasons;
1) The teams currently searching are aware of all other formal search party movements and new footprints or even broken twigs are seen as a potential clue. Since private search parties can not be registered or monitored by the police a lot of time will be wasted following in the foot steps of private parties. Even worse, helpful clues may be missed because they are either covered by the untrained private party or missed because it is assumed to be a private search party.

2) In previous searches where families have organised private search parties people have become lost or injured and draw valuable resources away from the formal search. Loosing valuable searching time.

To be effective in search and rescue requires much more then bushwalking experience. You need to know details of the case, the search history, radio communication skills (and equipment), specific observation/tracking skills and lost person behavioral psychology.

Currently the police are coordinating a search with well trained people on the ground and using helicopters with infrared cameras and spotters.

As much as I can understand the grief of the family I believe that the best thing we can do now (other they pray for Prabh Srawn) is to let the police conduct the search and not to complicate it by adding private search parties to the mix. I feel for the family at this troublesome time.

It is of course your call what you choose to do. Please do consider joining the NSW Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad http://www.bwrs.org.au/ OR the Bush search and Rescue Victoria http://bsar.org/ (or another state) so that you will be better prepared and welcomed to help next time.

I will unlock this thread again now so we can continue this discussion. Please continue to be respectful and thoughtful of both Prabh Srawn and his family in writing any posts.

Thanks

Matt

I"ve been involved in search and rescue, it's a science.
if you dont know what you're doing you can easily miss vital clues, as mentioned leaving false clues.
you can say you've searched an area but that means nothing if you havent been given formal training in how to search an area and exactly what clues you should be looking for or you could find false clues and waste time focusing on the wrong area or waste police time ..
official search authorities gather as much detailed information as possible to make the best decisions on where to focus their search...
they will carry out tasks such as try and itemise every single item the person they are searching for has with them. when any man made items are found in the search they will cross check it with known items or possible items the person could have. the authorities are extremely thorough. unfortunatley if this poor chap hasnt left details of his intended path it makes the search all the more difficult. but bringing in more people isnt necessarily going to help....

Again i am the original poster

- we are going to receive all investigative reports from the local police so redundancies will be avoided
- as many resources as we can provide to assist any volunteers will be provided
- we will be taking on as many trained sar volunteers as possible to have a good # of professionals aiding in the sheer power of numbers we hope to have involved

if any questions concerns ideas and help can be forwarded to me on my email [*** Email address removed by admin for public safety concerns ***]

wouldnt it be better for the police to make a request or for people and just deal with them directly? rather than organise independant search groups communicating with a third party?

wayno wrote:wouldnt it be better for the police to make a request or for people and just deal with them directly? rather than organise independant search groups communicating with a third party?

+1

The police are basically looking to scale back and eventually close the case entirely which is why we the family are assembling these teams

Hi Saveprabhsrawn

Thankyou for sharing here. Can I suggest you continue to work with the Police and follow their advice they also have the best interest of Prabh at heart. If the Police suggest that getting private SAR groups established is a good idea then I would be interested in talking. I know that you want to give Prabh the best chance you can, I believe following the Police advice gives the best possible chance. It is hard to just wait.

Matt

wayno wrote:wouldnt it be better for the police to make a request or for people and just deal with them directly? rather than organise independant search groups communicating with a third party?

Perhaps the best approach would be for interested persons to contact police directly to offer their assistance?

My only advice if you do decide to proceed with private search teams, is that you ensure all public liability insurances are in place and legal implications have been covered off on.

All the best.

Although the search will need to be scaled back if Prabhdeep is not found - this report today says the police are not yet scaling back the search at this stage.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/police-deny-scaling-back-search-for-missing-bushwalker-20130527-2n75e.html

A sad reading here in the latest police report

Police have made the tough decision to scale back the search for a man missing in the Kosciuszko National Park.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjMwNTIwLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D

Also relevant to this topic is a specific note at the end of the press release.

I know this is an emotional time and people want to do everything they can to find Prabhdeep, however, I have serious concerns for the welfare and safety of community members who are planning to come to the area and conduct their own searches.
The weather forecast for the next few days is unfavourable with conditions expected to deteriorate rapidly. We conduct searches with expertly trained and qualified officers who are prepared with a full range of survival equipment.

I think that is a wise warning from the police who obviously know this case better then I do.

Matt

severe weather is seldom far away at this time of year. severe winter storms have hit nz. could easily hit the search area anytime

Today I walked from Charlottes Pass to the intersection of the Lakes Track, but due to deep snow was unable to continue on the track to the summit of K. There was a helicopter searching in the vicinity of Consett Pass and the rolling grounds. Another helicopter appeared to be searching north of Kosciuszko back to Consett Pass. As well there was a ground party of 6 park rangers heading down from Rawson pass on either side of the steel walkway. At the Charlottes pass end of the track there was about 6 skidoos parked (probably used in the search). I stayed at Whites River hut on Sunday and there was an entry in the log book from a Jindabyne police officer who had been there as part of the search . Sunday was the most perfect day up there. But as someone else said the weather has changed and the wind from about the intersection of the Snowy River was bitter (at around 11am and 2pm). Unfortunately I fear the worst outcome is the most likely.

I covered the search for Jamie Neale as a journalist. In that case the vibe had very much turned from search and rescue to recovery. His survival shocked everyone. In his case it was also winter, and he was in the Blue Mountains, but the conditions he faced were definitely far less severe. While the weather severely hampered the search, it was more fog, cloud and light rain. The wind was not particularly severe, and he was down deep in a sheltered valley. Even with those better conditions, he was only out 12 days. Prabh has now been missing almost a week longer than that, in much more harsh conditions. I can definitely understand the decision by police to scale back the search. It is unfortunately a sad reality that searches cannot continue indefinitely, especially at a point where survival chances are quite low. Also, unlike Jamie who had been spotted by other tourists, it seems the search area for Prabh is much larger. With the addition of snow that adds another complexity, eradicating many clues to where he may have been. While I totally understand the view of his family, and would do the same if it was my son, I think it is downright dangerous for a private search to take place in deteriorating conditions. Can it really be justified to risk the lives of a large number of people for the very slim possibility of saving one life? If one of these volunteers is injured or killed, it would double the devastation suffered by the family. Fingers crossed there's a miracle, but for the rest of us I can only advise caution and care before rushing off to be part of a foolhardy expedition...

In light of the police press release and concern for safety I have removed the email address in the post by the family. I know this is a hard time for the family but I also don't want other people to put their life at risk or get in the way of the formal search whilst it still continues.
If people do want to assist with this search I suggest you contact the Police first and get their advice.

Matt

Well said WildWalks.

wildwalks wrote:In light of the police press release and concern for safety I have removed the email address in the post by the family. I know this is a hard time for the family but I also don't want other people to put their life at risk or get in the way of the formal search whilst it still continues.
If people do want to assist with this search I suggest you contact the Police first and get their advice.

Matt

Would hate to have been the one to do it, but the best thing that could have been done in this situation I believe.

To the family of the missing hiker, my thoughts are with you, and hoping that a miracle happens, and your loved one is found safe and well.

from what is being published online , it appears prabhs supporters continue to holdout hope a search may still find him alive.

wayno wrote:from what is being published online , it appears prabhs supporters continue to holdout hope a search may still find him alive.

The media says otherwise..

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/20 ... ralia.html

According to https://www.facebook.com/HelpFindPrabhSrawn there is now a payment offered of $250/day for searching, with reward of $100K for rescue or recovery

i hope they dont use the media to blame the authorities if they find him dead. they are now pretty critical of the authorities calling off the search. and seem to think they know better about the need to keep searching.

wayno wrote:i hope they dont use the media to blame the authorities if they find him dead. they are now pretty critical of the authorities calling off the search. and seem to think they know better about the need to keep searching.

I can't help but wonder if such foolhardiness is what led to Prahb going missing in the first place. Either that, or he's kicking back on a beach somewhere drinking cocktails...

By the way, I thought carrying out paid activities in a National Park was not allowed?

jonnosan wrote:According to https://www.facebook.com/HelpFindPrabhSrawn there is now a payment offered of $250/day for searching, with reward of $100K for rescue or recovery

Right or wrong, it is a very concerned family to be offering such large amounts for search and/or recovery. As someone with fairly extensive time in the region, it is tempting to head down and help. Any payment made would (should) be donated to local SAR etc.