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National

Missing woman Kelsey Bell found safe in WA's Kimberley as search continues for Wylie Oscar

A tourist missing in a remote part of Western Australia's Kimberley has been found safe and well, but a separate search for a missing man remains ongoing.

Kelsey Bell, 62, had been reported missing after her vehicle was found abandoned about 30 kilometres east of Ellenbrae Station on the Gibb River Road.

A WA Police spokesperson confirmed Ms Bell, and her shar pei dog, were found on a bush track about 20km from her vehicle.

The spokesperson said both would undergo precautionary medical checks at Kununurra Hospital.

Temperatures had reached the high 30s in the both the area where Ms Bell went missing, as well as bushland near Fitzroy Crossing where the search continued for missing man Wylie Oscar.

Last seen north of Fitzroy Crossing

Mr Oscar, 22, was last seen leaving Junjuwa Aboriginal Community, north of Fitzroy Crossing, on November 4.

His vehicle, a red Toyota LandCruiser, has since been discovered abandoned and with two flat tyres.

Mr Oscar, who is a relative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner June Oscar, is described as 170cm tall, of slim build with short curly hair, black facial hair and with brown eyes.

Broome District Inspector John Bridger said on Friday the search was continuing, with air support flying in from Canberra to join State Emergency Service volunteers and Aboriginal rangers. 

"We treat all of these situations extremely urgent," he said.

"We want to try and find Mr Oscar as soon as possible to make sure he's safe."

Inspector Bridger said there had not been an initial sense of urgency to find Mr Oscar. 

"He was last seen on the fourth of this month by family and friends, but he was in a vehicle with food and water," he said.

"So there were no real concerns for him.

"We've started the search since we were advised he hadn't returned."

'A very good bushman'

The inspector said that while Mr Oscar knew the area and how to find water, the length of time since he was last seen had set off alarm bells.

"We've received information from friends and family that Mr Oscar is a very good bushman," he said.

"He spent all his life working at stations and communities around Fitzroy Crossing.

"But it's unusual for him not to be seen by anyone for this long a time." 

His relatives have taken to social media to call for help, with WA Police also urging the community to provide any information about Mr Wylie's whereabouts.

Police are still determining Mr Oscar's last movements in the car. 

Tourist found by locals

Wyndham Police Sergeant Gary Thwaites said a resident from the area found Ms Bell while police were conducting a "hub search" around the vehicle.

"Some local folk happened to go along one of the bush tracks and they located her," he said.

"Apart from being very hungry and thirsty she appeared to be in good spirits."

He said the incident served as a reminder for people travelling in the outback to stay with their vehicles if they broke down and to take plenty of water.

"Stay by that main road there and, look, people will come along and be there for your assistance," Sergeant Thwaites said.

"People seem to forget how hot it gets up here."

Anyone with information on Mr Wylie is asked to contact police on 131 444.

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