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ABC News
ABC News
National

Police search for missing 19yo Tea Wright-Finger at Richmond in north-west Queensland

A major land and air search is underway for a 19-year-old woman missing in remote north-west Queensland for more than a week.   

Tea Wright-Finger was last seen on October 16 at Richmond, more than 400 kilometres east of Mount Isa.

Police said the teenager's friend had dropped her on Coalbrook Road near the car she had been driving, but neither Ms Wright-Finger nor the four-wheel-drive have been seen since.

Inspector Damien Crosby said police launched a search operation on Saturday and held concerns for the 19-year-old's welfare.

"The terrain out at Richmond, particularly coming into summer, can be quite challenging," Inspector Crosby said.

"We have the assistance of SES, trained search and rescue coordinators, and some local Richmond Shire Council employees who have a really good local working knowledge of the terrain involved."

The Mount Isa LifeFlight Rescue helicopter covered more than 700 kilometres yesterday searching remote areas around Cloncurry, Four Ways and Julia Creek.

Police said Ms Wright-Finger's mobile phone was switched on briefly on Tuesday morning, allowing authorities to hone their search to the Richmond area.

SES personnel are using off-road buggies to scour tracks and areas of thick vegetation on the banks of the Flinders River near the Richmond township, as well as a neighbouring rural property.

Inspector Crosby said Ms Wright-Finger was employed in the pastoral industry and had connections with local stations in the region.

"Our priority continues to be to locate Tea safe and well and we will continue to search in that Richmond area until we're given information to the contrary," he said.

Police have urged anyone who has seen her or a blue 2013 Toyota Prado four-wheel-drive with the registration 210-TLA to contact them immediately.

The teenager also has connections in the Bundaberg area. 

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