Teen hiker’s disappearance ends in tragedy at national park with key question remaining

Authorities searched dense bushland in Nattai National Park, seen above, for eight days after an 18-year-old hiker disappeared while setting out on a hike.(iStock)

The week-long search ended Thursday morning when “the body of a woman was located in bushland,” said NSW Police. 

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“While yet to be formally identified, the body is believed to be that of the 18-year-old woman,” police said late last week, adding that a report would be prepared for the coroner.

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A volunteer located the body at around 11:30 a.m.on Thursday — but a communication breakdown initially led the young woman’s family to believe she had been found alive, said New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Joseph Cassar.

“[The family] were [given] initial information [that] the searchers believed she was alive, and that’s what was communicated,” Cassar told reporters.

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“A parent losing a young one … is an unspeakable tragedy.”

“Within eight to 10 minutes we were able to give them an update, which was a more accurate account,” he added.

Hooper’s death drew commentary from Australia’s top political leaders and even prompted a moment of silence in Parliament.

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“The tragedy of a parent losing a young one … is an unspeakable tragedy,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, per SBS News.“Lily had so much more to offer the world.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the 18-year-old hiker after her death following an eight-day search.(Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Jim Hooper, the father of Lily Hooper, praised emergency workers for their diligent efforts to find his daughter and forgave police and all involved for the apparent communication mix-up that she’d been found alive, according to 7NEWS Australia. 

“Their hearts and their efforts — I couldn’t knock it,” he said. 

Nattai National Park is known for itsrugged hiking, sandstone cliffsand vast bushland, according to the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The agency separately warns hikers that cliff edges can be unstable or obscured by vegetation, conditions can change rapidly — and many national parks have limited cellphone coverage.

Officials recommend that hikers carry personal locator beacons when venturing into remote areas.

“Many national parks in NSW don’t have mobile phone coverage,” the website states.

The remote national park is known for rugged hiking terrain, sandstone cliffs and stretches of unspoiled bushland.(iStock)

“If you’re planning a walk in a remote area, bring a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) as an added safety precaution.”

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Hooper’s death is the latest in a string of fatal hiking and climbing incidents in recent months.

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This month, accomplished rock climberJake Whisenant, 30, died in an accident in California’s Sierra Nevada.

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Whisenant waskilled in a fallat Sequoia National Park on Aug.

Park officials warn visitors that cliff edges can be unstable or obscured by vegetation in remote areas.(iStock)

In June, an 18-year-old hiker died after experiencingheat-related symptomswhile hiking the Grand Canyon’s Bright Angel Trail.

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The eight-day search for Lily Hooper in Australia involved about 1,000 people,the BBCreported.