The renewed search for missing Tura Beach man, Peter Claux, has been scaled back after the search operation carried out by Police, SES and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter failed to find the 86-year-old yesterday (Thursday August 18).
Peter and his dog Buddy were reported missing on the 2 June 2022 after Peter’s car, a 1991 maroon coloured Subaru sedan with NSW registration AHF 81P, was found abandoned on Widgeram Road in Bournda, north of Merimbula on the NSW South Coast.
After more than 10 weeks missing, Peter’s golden Labrador was located walking near a property along Widgeram Road, Bournda on Wednesday the 10th of August which prompted police to renew their efforts to find the Bega Valley man.
Bega Valley SES Unit Commander, Janice Brown who assisted with the search on Thursday told East Coast Radio nothing was found.
“We had 12 SES members out with local police, police rescue, the Westpac helicopter and police dogs from Sydney and nothing at all, we found nothing,” Unit Commander Brown said.
“Unfortunately there was no outcome for the family or the community.”
She explained that on Tuesday (August 16) Buddy was taken back to the Bournda National Park area where he was found to see if he might be able to help.
“The local police took Buddy out earlier in the week to see if he could possibly lead the police to where Peter could be,” Unit Commander Brown said.
“But no, Buddy was just happy to go for a walk and there were no signs like Lassie saying go that direction.”
The dog had reportedly lost around 8kg in the time he was missing.
Chief Inspector and District Inspector for South Coast Police, John Sheehan, said Buddy was in reasonable condition when police sighted him, condsidering the length of time he had been missing.
“It’s pretty remarkable that Buddy has come out of the bush after that length of time,” Inspector Sheehan said.
“He had sores on his feet, he was covered in ticks and he was wet.”.
Police will conduct a scaled back search of the area today, with no SES help being required.
“Unless any more leads come up, today will unfortaunetly be it, so if the community has any information, let police know, so they can follow up on them.”
Anyone with information about Peter’s whereabouts – including anyone who saw Peter’s vehicle or van parked in Widgeram Road, Bournda prior to 11.30am Wednesday 1 June 2022 – is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Images: NSW SES, NSW Police
