NSW: Snowboarder searchers find image near rock

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-1999
NSW: Snowboarder searchers find image near rock

SYDNEY, Aug 19 AAP - Searchers looking for four snowboarders in the New South Wales Snowy
Mountains have uncovered an image that could be the form of a human sheltering under a rock.

Searchers have told ABC radio that the image was picked up last night on army thermal
imaging equipment, but search teams spent all day trying to pinpoint the location of the
image.

Rescuers, with the help of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, this afternoon said the
area was south of Mt Kosciuszko, near Leatherbarrel Creek - the centre of an area the four
snowboarders were originally thought to have been.

Tim Friend, 25, Dean Pincini, 25, and brothers Scott Beardsmore, 26, and Paul, 24, have
been missing after setting out on a three-day adventure nearly two weeks ago.

Rescuers said it was the best indication yet of a possible sighting of a body, which they
believe may have been sheltered near a rock.

However adventurer Dick Smith said it was very unlikely that the image would bring any good
news but it was worth checking out.

He said he did not believe the image was one of the missing snowboarders.

A thermal image spotted yesterday turned out to be wildlife.

"I have a small amount of optimism," Mr Smith said.

Extremely bad weather today delayed a search in a section of steep terrain.

Search Commander Inspector Martin Wookey said winds were gusting up to 130 kph and snow had
been predicted for this afternoon.

AAP nd/sb/jnb/br

KEYWORD: SNOWBOARDERS ROCK

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