“BRING LILY HOME” — DESPERATE SEARCH FOR MISSING 18-YEAR-OLD HIKER ENTERS SEVENTH DAY

NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA — The desperate search for 18-year-old Lily Hooper has entered its seventh day, with around 200 emergency and defence personnel now involved in the operation across the rugged terrain of Nattai National Park.

Lily, an experienced bushwalker from Oakdale, left home at about 8 a.m. on August 12 intending to hike in the Southern Highlands.

She never came home.

HER CAR WAS FOUND NEAR THE TRAIL

Lily’s family raised the alarm after she failed to return.

At around 11 p.m. that night, her car was discovered on Wanganderry Road near the beginning of the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail at High Range.

Police believe Lily reached the summit of Bonnum Pic during the morning, but there has been no confirmed contact with her since.

HUNDREDS NOW SEARCHING THE WILDERNESS

The operation has grown into a major multi-agency search.

Around 200 emergency and defence personnel are currently involved, including NSW Police, Australian Defence Force personnel, SES volunteers, Rural Fire Service crews, Fire and Rescue NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Ambulance and specialist rescue teams.

Police aircraft, search dogs, mounted units, trail bikes and helicopters have also been deployed.

Searchers are facing dense forest, steep drops, ravines and difficult creek lines, making both ground and aerial searches extremely challenging.

FAMILY’S HEARTBREAKING PLEA

Lily’s family has described themselves as “absolutely devastated” and said their only wish is to bring their daughter home safely.

They thanked the emergency workers and volunteers who have continued searching, sometimes through the night.

At the same time, the family has asked members of the public not to enter the search area themselves because of the dangerous conditions.

Authorities are also urging residents and motorists around High Range and the Southern Highlands to check CCTV, dashcam footage, properties and outbuildings for anything that could help establish Lily’s movements.

POLICE ARE STILL HOPING TO FIND HER ALIVE

Despite the length of the search, authorities continue to treat the operation as a search-and-rescue mission.

Police have emphasized that Lily is an experienced bushwalker and said they are relying on her experience to help her survive while crews continue searching.

Bushwalking NSW president Jessie Burke has also urged people not to speculate about Lily’s decisions or preparedness, noting that hiking alone is not inherently dangerous and that the circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unknown.

SEVEN DAYS, BUT THE SEARCH CONTINUES

There has still been no confirmed sighting of Lily or her belongings since her disappearance.

Her car has provided investigators with an important starting point, but the rugged landscape has made the search extraordinarily difficult.

For Lily’s family, every hour brings more uncertainty.

For the hundreds of people working through the wilderness, the mission remains the same:

Find Lily. Bring her home.