13 December 2018

Search under way for Canberra lawyer and woman missing in bushland near Nowra

| Ian Bushnell
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BAL Lawyers’ Bill McCarthy, who is missing in bushland near Nowra. Photo: Supplied

A large-scale search is under way for a prominent Canberra lawyer and his female companion who are missing in bushland west of Nowra.

Special Counsel with BAL Lawyers Bill McCarthy, aged 59, and Francisca Boterhoven De Haan, aged 60, went bushwalking in the Ettrema Gorge within the Morton National Park, Ettrema, west of Nowra, on Saturday (8 December).

Mr McCarthy was expected to return to his home in Canberra by Tuesday but did not return.

Police were notified about 1:30 pm yesterday (Wednesday 12 December) and a search was launched involving resources from South Coast Police District, PolAir, the Westpac and NSW Ambulance helicopters, and the SES.

About 4 pm, Mr McCarthy’s car was located in a car park on Tolwong Road, Ettrema.

Police have serious concerns for their welfare. It is unknown how many supplies they have and they are not believed to be in possession of an emergency beacon.

There are also concerns due to significant rainfall in the area.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via their website. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

 

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