Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Pimpana man William Dilworth, missing for four days, located in rugged bushland in northern NSW

A 66-year-old man from the Gold Coast who had been missing since Wednesday has been located in rugged bushland in northern New South Wales.

A police-led search for William Dilworth was centered at Byrrill Creek, south-west of Murwillumbah, where the vehicle of the missing man was located on Thursday.

A family friend who was part of the police and volunteer search effort safely located Mr Dilworth this afternoon.

He had fallen down a gully in an area of dense rainforest.

Son Scott Dilworth said it was difficult to put into words how much it meant to have his dad, who lives at Pimpama and suffers from dementia, found.

"So many people have been out here traipsing this terrain," Mr Dilworth said.

"I don't know where to start and stop thanking these people. It's just an awesome feeling, I have no words.

"He had fallen and wrapped around a vine, against a tree, and not able to move again."

Tweed-Byron Detective Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe said there had been a high level of concern for Mr Dilworth's welfare, given how long he had been missing. 

"When the call came out he was found and still alive ... it's just terrific news," he said.

Mr Kehoe said the result was particularly uplifting for volunteer emergency services, including the Rural Fire Service, the State Emergency Service and the Volunteer Rescue Association.

"They all came here in their own time and have been searching for three days," he said.

"To find this man alive, to see the reactions of the family, I think that's why people [volunteer search] do it."

Mr Dilworth was taken by helicopter to Lismore Base Hospital for further assessment.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.