Australia news live: defence force personnel join search for missing 18-year-old bushwalker Lily Hooper

5th Brigade Reservists and Joint Task Force 629 Join Multi-Agency Search

The operation scaled up significantly on Wednesday as reservists from the 5th Brigade stationed at Holsworthy Barracks entered the dense bushland. Members of the army’s Joint Task Force 629 joined the command centre co-ordinating the search for the missing bushwalker. Authorities estimate that approximately 200 personnel are now scouring the terrain, combining ground searchers from the State Emergency Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, and VRA Rescue with aerial support from helicopters, drones, and thermal-imaging drones. Firefighters, national park rangers, and paramedics are also involved in the search.

The Challenging Terrain of Nattai National Park

The search centers on an unforgiving landscape marked by steep ravines, high cliffs, and thick vegetation. Army survival instructor Gordon Dedman noted that personnel deployed from nearby Holsworthy possess vital familiarity with the region south of the base. You've got personnel, depending on what units are used, familiar with that area south of Holsworthy, he said. It's very steep ravines, thick bush, and it can get really cold in winter. Dedman added that basic soldiers are well-equipped to execute extensive line searches on foot, noting that the ready availability of water in the national park worked in the experienced bushwalker’s favour. It's still early days, he said. There is water in the creeks there. First-aid issues and clothing are the two big things, because with the proper clothing you can even hug against a tree [to stay warm].

Overnight conditions have tested rescue teams with freezing temperatures, heavy fog, and harsh winds. Despite the harsh environment, experts note that the presence of water in local creeks provides a critical advantage for an experienced walker. VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alix Thom highlighted the specialized teams operating in the area, stating that eight volunteers had been sent to camp in the area. They have a lot of navigation skills, rugged terrain experience, and they're very skilled individuals that we've deployed to that area to assist, she said. No matter what the weather is, they won't come back in for the night. They stay out there.

Timeline of the Disappearance and Emergency Response

Lily Hooper Departs Burragorang Road Trailhead Before Failing to Return

Lily Hooper left her home on Burragorang Road at Oakdale in Sydney’s south-west at 8 a.m. on Wednesday last week to embark on a hike in the Nattai National Park. She kept in contact with her family throughout the day, but relatives raised the alarm when she had not returned by 10 p.m. Police officers subsequently discovered her Hyundai parked at the bottom of the challenging Bonnum Pic trail that night. Police have found no trace of her in the area since.

Search efforts over the subsequent week expanded to include trail bikes from the Trail Bike Unit, horses, and dogs alongside aviation resources. While ground operations suspended for the night, command posts coordinated the deployment of close to 100 Australian Defence Force members who returned to the command post around 5 p.m. on Wednesday as daily sweeps wound down. Rescuers remained hopeful of finding Hooper given her experience, though she was last seen wearing a shirt and shorts, and it is not known what clothing or supplies she had taken with her.

Family Appeal and Community Response

Jim Hooper Appeals on 2SM Radio as New South Wales Police Release Statement

The missing teenager’s father, Jim Hooper, made an emotional public appeal earlier in the week by calling into 2SM radio, surprising host Tim Webster as he took calls from his breakfast show audience. I just want everyone to throw love and energy because we’ve got to go and find her, got to go find this kid … she’s got to be in there somewhere, mate, he told the host, describing his daughter as a tough, experienced bushwalker. Later, he added: I’m very upset … I just want everyone to throw love and energy, because we’ve got to go and find her, and remarked that It’s like she’s just vanished off the planet. I just can’t make it out. Jim Hooper had also joined search crews on the ground earlier in the week.

In a formal statement released on Tuesday afternoon through New South Wales Police, the Hooper family expressed deep gratitude while asking the public to respect their privacy. Our family is absolutely devastated that our beloved daughter Lily is missing, they said. “We would like to thank all the emergency services and volunteers for their support and continued commitment to the search, not only during the day but throughout the night. We desperately want to bring Lily home safe, and we ask, as the search continues, to keep our family and Lily in your thoughts. We also ask for privacy and understanding as our family navigates this unimaginable situation.”

The family statement also addressed well-meaning volunteers: We appreciate people who have made offers for the search but due to the terrain and conditions we ask just professional search teams continue. Authorities confirmed that the operation remains an active search and rescue mission, with ground operations scheduled to resume on Wednesday.