June 27, 2025
Police divers and water police using sonar have been brought in to join the search for a 74-year-old fisherman who went missing at Boondooma Dam on Thursday morning.
The search for the missing Fraser Coast man began yesterday morning but was halted overnight.
It resumed at dawn on Friday morning with police bringing in more assets to join the search, including drones from the SES, QFD and Sunwater.
The Bundaberg-based LifeFlight helicopter has also joined the search.
Inspector Scott Stahlhut, from the South Burnett Patrol Group, said the man left to go fishing at Little Cove about 5:15am on Thursday morning, taking with him yabby and crab pots.
His inflatable dinghy was located abandoned close to the dam’s shoreline about 9:15am, with its motor in gear and still running.
Insp Stahlhut said police, SES and Sunwater personnel were taking part in the search as well as four specialist police divers and other boaties at the dam.
“Yesterday was quite windy which did hamper some of our efforts, particularly with the RPAVs, the remotely piloted aerial vehicles,” Insp Stahlhut said.
The search was being conducted both on the water and on land.
Family members of the missing man are at the dam, and his son has joined the search.
“There is a chance that this gentleman may have made it to shore … so we are keeping our options open and we are hoping for the best outcome,” Insp Stahlhut said.
The fisherman was last seen wearing a blue jacket and dark-coloured pants.
- Related article: Search For Missing Boatie
[UPDATED: Published originally as “Dam Search Continues”]
