Final day for search
A HELICOPTER will do one final sweep across the Innisfail area this morning in a last-ditch effort to find missing Tablelands doctor Richard Thomas.
Far North police Inspector Denis Fitzpatrick said every possible resource had been used in the “intense” search but unfortunately the 55year-old father of two had not been found.
“At this point, we’ve been unsuccessful in providing any resolution for the family,” he said.
Helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, boats and SES volunteers have been involved in the search since Dr Thomas was reported missing by his worried family on Tuesday afternoon and his empty fishing boat was found floating at the mouth of the Johnstone River, still carrying a bucket full of unused bait and his lunch.
The chances of finding the Atherton Hospital anaesthetist alive have now dwindled and those who led the search said good weather conditions during the week meant every corner of the 250sq m search area and 75km stretch of coastline was thoroughly checked.
Police say they will likely never know how far Dr
Thomas had travelled on the Great Barrier Reef trip when he probably fell overboard or something happened on the way out.
Cairns water police Sergeant Andrew Ibell, who coordinated the search, said today’s sweep by the Rescue 510 helicopter would take in the 75km coastline which had been the focus for authorities.
“What we don’t know is exactly how far offshore he was when he came to be in the water,” Sgt Ibell said.
“It is possible (the boat may have drifted) from as far out as the Reef, but it was probably a bit closer.
“We would certainly like to bring the missing person home for his family, but as time goes on, there is a very remote chance of that happening.
“It’s a very unforgiving environment, the ocean, even on a calm day.”
Sgt Ibell paid tribute to SES volunteers and the local Coast Guard who took part in the search.
Coast Guard volunteers spent almost 12 hours at sea searching on Wednesday.
“I’m very confident if there was anything to be found or seen, it would have been found,” Sgt Ibell said.