Joao (John) DE ORNELAS
Joao (John) DE ORNELAS
Posted - ABC
The man was reported missing just before three o'clock this afternoon when he wandered from his tour group near the Tahune Airwalk.
Police believe the man is in good physical condition, and the weather in the search area is fine.
He is wearing navy blue shorts, a shirt and jacket.
The search will resume at first light if the man is not found tonight.
Updated - ABC
Police have widened the search for a New South Wales man missing in the Tasmanian bush.
John De Ornelas was with a tour group when he was reported missing mid-afternoon yesterday near the Tahune Airwalk in southern Tasmania.
Acting Inspector Adam Stanwix says the man is in good physical condition.
"He's 76 years old and our information from the family is that he might appear slightly confused or disoriented," he said.
"We don't believe there is any medical conditions that will present a problem for him at the moment, in the short term anyway.
He says police are not ruling out the possibility that he may have left the area by car.
"We are also conscious there's a lot of traffic that leaves the area at the end of the day."
We are obviously canvassing the possibility that someone picked him up and transported him, unknowing that he was missing, and transported him from the area," he said.
The missing man, whose name is yet to be released, is wearing navy blue shorts, blue shirt, blue vest and blue peaked cap.
The rescue helicopter is assisting in the search.
Updated - ABC
Police in Tasmania fear for the safety of an elderly Sydney man who is facing another night alone in state forest.
76-year-old John De Ornelas was reported missing from his tour group near the Tahune Airwalk in the state's south about half past two yesterday afternoon.
Today's search has been fruitless, and police fear Mr De Ornelas may face a second night in the bush.
Police Acting Inspector Adam Stanwix says hopes have diminished that Mr De Ornelas may have been picked up by a passing motorist.
"As the day progressed that's looked less and less likely," he said, "because: one, he hasn't surfaced anywhere in Hobart; and two, no-one's rung up, so sadly that doesn't look like that's occurred."
The search will continue until nightfall, and resume at first light.
Mr De Ornelas is described as short, with grey hair and a heavy build, and was wearing blue shorts, a shirt, vest and cap.
Police say he has limited English.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Posted - ABC
Police have called in trackers dogs as they step up the search for a Sydney man missing in Tasmania's south.
John De Ornelas has not been seen since Wednesday afternoon when he became separated from his touring party at the Tahune Airwalk.
Police, SES volunteers and Forestry Tasmania staff failed to find any trace of the 76-year-old yesterday.
Two search and rescue dogs from Victoria Police have been flown in to join the search this morning.
Posted - ABC
Police divers are searching the Huon River in southern Tasmania for a missing Sydney man.
Two search and rescue dogs from Victoria have also been flown in to help find John De Ornelas.
The 76-year-old has not been seen since Wednesday afternoon when he became separated from his touring party at the Tahune Airwalk.
Sergeant Marcus Pearce says there is no let up in the search.
"We've got divers in the river, searching the river banks above and below the area of the last sighting of the missing person and we have other search teams.
"SES and Forestry Tasmania personnel searching the bushland in the immediate area," he said.
Updated - ABC
Police in Tasmania hold serious concerns for a missing Sydney man who is facing a third night lost in bushland.
John De Ornelas has not been seen since Wednesday afternoon, when he walked off from his tour group at the Tahune Airwalk, south of Hobart.
Two police dogs were flown from Victoria today to help the 30-strong team searching for the 76-year-old.
Acting Inspector Adam Stanwix says police are still hopeful of finding Mr De Ornelas alive.
"Although the weather has been fine, he's obviously now been out for a long time, potentially without water and certainly without food," he said.
"So we are very concerned, we're not shying away from that. We're hoping that he's just simply in the bush and he'll emerge out onto a track and relay a story of just being lost in the bush."
Posted - ABC
The search for a Sydney man missing in Tasmanian forest for more than five days has been scaled down.
Police are now doubtful the 76-year-old is alive.
John de Ornelas was last seen on Wednesday with a tour party at the Tahune Airwalk in the state's south.
He left the group near the area of the Huon River.
More than 130 people, including police and SES crews, have been conducting land, water and air searches.
On Monday police scaled down the search after receiving medical advice that it is unlikely Mr de Ornelas is alive if he is still in the area.
Acting Inspector Marcus Pearce says police have exhausted all avenues.
"We've assessed the circumstances in relation to how he's gone missing, the environment he's gone missing and his capacity and all possible leads," he said.
Four-wheel drive patrols will continue in the area.
Updated - ABC
Police have little hope of finding a 76-year-old Sydney man alive after he was reported missing in Tasmanian state forest six days ago.
John de Ornelas was last seen with a tour group at the Tahune airwalk south of Hobart.
Acting Inspector Marcus Pearce says land, air and water searches have been abandoned after medical advice Mr de Ornelas is unlikely to be alive if he has remained in the area.
"Once we've searched those areas, in some cases we've searched them repeatedly and based upon that, together with the likelihood of survival and a number of other factors...they've contributed to us making this decision," he said.
Four wheel drive patrols will continue in the area.
Posted - ABC
Police are appealing for help finding a Sydney man who went missing in southern Tasmanian bushland in March.
John De Ornelas, 75, was reported missing when he failed to return to his tour group at Tahune Air Walk.
A week of searching proved fruitless and there has been no sign of Mr De Ornaelas since.
He is described as 165 centimetres tall, heavy build, with short, white hair.
Police hope to use National Missing Persons Week to find new leads in the case.