VIC: Victorian bushwalkers help search for NSW snowboarders

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-1999
VIC: Victorian bushwalkers help search for NSW snowboarders

MELBOURNE, Aug 14 AAP - A group of highly experienced Victorian bushwalkers today joined
the search for four snowboarders missing for a week in sub-zero temperatures in the New South
Wales Snowy Mountains.

Sixteen volunteer searchers from the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs have travelled
to Kosciuszko National Park to help search for the four men who were last seen on Saturday of
last week.

Scott Beardsmore, 26, his brother Paul, 24, and their friends Dean Pincini, 25, and Tim
Friend, 25, set off that day on what was to have been a three-day snowboarding adventure.

The Victorian bushwalkers' field organiser Rik (Rik) Head said more searchers from several
bushwalking clubs throughout the state were on standby.

"All the searchers are highly experienced bushwalkers and cross country skiers who have had
specialist training in search and rescue techniques," he said in a statement.

"They operate independently in the field for several days if necessary."

Mr Head said the organisation had a search and rescue section with over 200 trained members
available for call-out to search for missing people.

"The Police Search and Rescue Squad initiates the call-out of our members, under DISPLAN,
the state counter-disaster plan," Mr Head said.

"Our members participate in the field as a distinct unit, with our own leadership under the
command of the police."

AAP hmg/wjf

KEYWORD: SNOWBOARDERS VIC

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