Koscuiszko National Park: Hadi Nazari named as bushwalker lost in rugged bushland as search continues

A full scale search has resumed on Tuesday for an experienced bushwalker that has been missing for five days in rugged bushland.

The multi-agency search has resumed in the south of NSW for Hadi Nazari, aged 23, after he was last seen by friends at about 2.30pm on Boxing Day, as he descended the Hannels Spur Trail, Geehi, between Khancoban and Thredbo, in the Koscuiszko National Park.

Three men were expected to meet up at the Geehi campground, however Mr Nazari failed to arrive, his two friends, began to search for him.

Officers attached to the Riverina police district were alerted about 8.45pm on Thursday December 26, and commenced patrols by vehicle and on foot, assisted by the SES, but without success.

The following day, a command post was established and a multi-agency search commenced involving Goulburn police rescue, officers attached to Riverina police district, assisted by National Parks and Wildlife Service, SES, NSW Ambulance, VRA and polair.

Acting Superintendent Jillian Gibson who is currently the commander of the Riverina police district gave the media and concerned family and friends an update on Tuesday as the massive search continued.

“We are utilising specialist resources including specially trained bushwalkers volunteers from VRA and SES who we have airlifted into rugged and remote areas to try and increase our capability to search those areas,” Supt Gibson said.

“It’s part of the most rugged terrain in New South Wales. It’s very steep.

“It’s very vegetated, and it’s quite remote, so we have set up increased communications to increase our capability there. The heat is also an issue but can I just say that the volunteers and the staff which have attended have been amazing and the way in which they just put themselves out there everyday trying to find Hadi is so amazing.

“Yesterday we airlifted 28 volunteers into a higher capacity area, so taking them 1600m above where the current command post is and then they’ve worked their way down in a grid pattern, searching those areas that we think Hadi might be,” Supt Gibson added.

Hadi Mazari is described as being Asian in appearance, slim build and around 172cm tall and was wearing a grey, long sleeve shirt, grey pants and carrying a blue backpack.

Mr Nazari’s sister said the anxious wait for news has left her wanting to “go outside and scream”.

“This is the biggest trauma of my life ... not seeing him for so many days, not able to talk to him for so many days ,” Zahra Nazari told Nine News.

She feared her brother didn’t have a lot of food and water as he only planned a day walk.

“I just look at his pictures all the time and pray to God that he come back, he come back soon,” she said.

While there are obvious concerns for Mr Nazari’s wellbeing, Supt Gibson said he is an experienced hiker and is carrying camping equipment and wearing clothing suitable to the conditions.

“There’s some terrific footage of him up there. He’s obviously well resourced in which - you know, gives us a really good hope,” Supt Gibson said.,

“He did not have a beacon with him at the time that we’re aware of and none has been activated in the area. The camping gear which he had showed that he had a reasonable amount of water. He had camping tents, poles, and adequate clothing that increases our hopes.

When asked if any of the search parties had found any trace of Mr Nazari the response from police was not encouraging.

“At this point we have had no indications of where he is apart from the last known sighting,” Supt Gibson added.

Police are appealing for anyone with information or may have seen him to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.