A British man and a French man have gone missing while backpacking in Australia, sparking a police search.
NSW POLICE
Hugo Palmer (left) and Erwan Ferrieux are missing, Australian police say
The alarm was raised when passersby found the belongings of Hugo Palmer and Erwan Ferrieux on a beach north of Sydney on Monday. Police searched the beach and discovered the pair’s rental car nearby. Other personal items including travel documents were found in the vehicle.
Police began a ground and water search on Monday but found no signs of both 20-year-olds.
It is believed both men had went for a swim on and had arrived in Port Macquarie on Sunday 7th February. Glasses, keys and wallets were found on the beach.
Inspector Michael Aldridge said “About 6.30am yesterday morning (Monday), two walkers identified two towels and some items of clothing on the beach close to the waterline,”
“They also located some car keys belonging to a silver Commodore station wagon with Queensland registration plates, parked in the car park.
“Police attended, searched the vehicle then came back in the afternoon and that’s when a preliminary search started to commence.
“The concern is that a number of personal items were located in the vehicle we would believe they wouldn’t leave, such as personal items.”
Hugo Palmer, English, is described as 180cm tall, caucasian appearance with fair hair and of athletic build.
Erwan Ferrieux, French, is between 175 to 180cm tall, has dark hair, brown eyes and a tanned complexion.
“We know that they arrived in Port Macquarie on Sunday morning and we believe from information provided so far that the items may have been there since Sunday evening as well,” said Inspector Aldridge.
“Chances are exceptionally slim (someone could have survived in the water since Sunday), the conditions yesterday and the day before were terrible.”
A British High Commission spokeswoman said: “Our staff are in contact with police in Australia and the UK following reports of a missing British man at Shelly Beach, New South Wales.”
