A major search for a missing South Australian couple has ended with both found alive in Tasmania's northwest bushland on Thursday morning, bringing relief to family and emergency services after more than a day of mounting concern.
Search crews located the pair's silver Honda CR-V abandoned on Cookes Road in the Dial Range area near Riana, shortly before 10.30am. Clementina, 81, and Peter, 79, were found a short distance from the vehicle — cold, wet, and with minor injuries. Ambulance Tasmania paramedics attended to assess the couple at the scene.
How the Elderly Couple Went Missing
The married pair had been visiting family in the state's northwest before setting off for a short sightseeing drive on Tuesday afternoon. They were last seen around 2.30pm near Milabena, a small locality west of Burnie, but had not told relatives where they intended to go.
When the couple failed to return and could not be contacted, family raised the alarm, triggering a significant search operation across the region. You can read more about the initial search for the missing South Australian couple as it unfolded.
Authorities had considered the likelihood that the pair may have travelled through areas including Penguin, Gawler, or Gunns Plains. Deteriorating weather conditions made the search significantly more difficult, with the police helicopter grounded as a result.
Search and Rescue Effort Praised
The successful outcome came after emergency services and members of the public worked together across a broad search area in challenging conditions. Police extended their thanks to all those who contributed to locating the couple.
Search and rescue operations of this kind — particularly those involving vulnerable or elderly individuals in remote terrain — carry serious risks when weather closes in quickly. For broader context on significant missing persons cases and search operations across the country, see this Timeline of major crimes in Australia.
The pair are expected to receive further medical assessment following their ordeal, though their injuries are understood to be minor. No further details about their condition had been released at the time of reporting.
