Police turn to new tactic in the desperate search for missing Belgian backpacker, 31, who vanished three weeks ago
- Police deploy helicopter in search for missing backpacker
- Weather in Tasmania leaves her survival chances slim
Tasmanian Police have deployed a helicopter in their search for a Belgian backpacker who has been missing for two weeks.
A break in the challenging weather conditions allowed search and rescue crews to use the chopper to search the area where Celine Cremer went missing on June 17.
The 31-year-old was reported missing on Monday after concerned family and friends raised the alarm.
She was last seen in the small town of Waratah, about 200km west of Launceston in Tasmania.
Police have deployed a helicopter in the search for 31-year-old Belgian backpacker, Celine Cremer (pictured), after she went missing in Tasmanian bushland two weeks ago
On Tuesday, police found her white Honda CRV in the carpark of the Philosopher Falls Trail which opened a new line of investigation.
Officers are hoping to speak with a bushwalker who may have been in the area where a missing Belgian backpacker’s car was found.
Search crews continued to look for Ms Cremer over the weekend, with the State Emergency Service using all terrain vehicles to search a number of tracks around Philosopher Falls on Saturday.
Due to recent weather conditions in the Tasmanian bush, police believe their chances of finding Ms Cremer alive are slim.
Police located Ms Cremer’s white Honda CRV (pictured) in a carpark at Philosopher Falls Trail, about 200km west of Launceston, on Tuesday
Investigators received a number of calls from members of the public who accessed the walking track between June 17 and 26.
Police are now investigating whether it is possible that Ms Cremer’s white Honda CRV was in the carpark of the Philosopher Falls earlier than June 20.
‘Police would like to speak to a walker who was at Philosopher Falls around 2.30pm on Sunday, June 18,’ Tasmanian Police said in a statement.
‘This person is not in any trouble, we urge you to make contact as you may be able to assist us in establishing Ms Cremer’s movements prior to her going missing.’
Police believe the chances of finding Ms Cremer alive are slim due to unfavourable weather in the Tasmanian bush
The person is being urged to contact police on 131 444.
Police are continuing to investigate Ms Cremer’s movements from 17 June.
Inspector Anthea Maingay said the search crews had focused their efforts around Philosopher Falls.
‘We’re continuing our efforts to locate Celine … we have received expert medical advice that indicates the recent weather conditions were not survivable for the length of time that Celine is thought to have been exposed in the wilderness,’ she said.
‘Our thoughts remain with Celine’s family, and we are continuing our efforts to locate her in an attempt for them to have some answers at this tragic time.’
Police are searching for another walker who was on the trail at about 2:30pm on June 19
Police believe that the Belgian woman was only equipped for a light walk and became lost.
The young traveller had spent some months in Australia and posted on social media about her travels.
‘Australia is indeed so beautiful! And so big,’ she wrote to a friend on a Facebook post.
The Philosopher Falls walking track at Waratah remains closed to the public.
