Land and air search in national park for Wayne Parker suspended almost a week after he was last sighted

The search for missing man Wayne Michael Parker has been suspended pending further information, nearly a week since he was last sighted. An extensive land and air search in the Stirling Range National Park lasting five days failed to find any sign of the missing 61-year-old from Mt Barker. The search began on Monday afternoon after the Nissan Navara he was driving was found abandoned in the carpark at Mt Magog. The land search involving SES volunteers, volunteer fire and rescue service personnel and a police drone was suspended at nightfall on Thursday. The ground search did not resume on Friday however a helicopter was deployed to fly over the area for several hours but Mr Parker or any sign of his whereabouts was not found. The police commander for the search, Tambellup officer-in-charge Sergeant David Swain explained the decision to suspend the search. “(Thursday night) we made the decision to suspend ground searching, so those on foot,” Sgt Swain said. “We had better weather (Friday) and we were able to deploy a contract air asset to fly over that area. “Unfortunately the helicopter has located nothing in that time. “All our stuff is reviewed constantly and we will suspend the search until any further leads come to light.” More than 25 SES volunteers, eight police officers and volunteer firefighters braved near-freezing temperatures and heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday in the bid to find Mr Parker. Public assistance has helped police narrow down when his car came into the national park. “We know now that the car has been there since about lunchtime on Saturday,” Sgt Swain said. “We are now looking for people in or around the Mt Magog carpark on Saturday morning from 6 or 7am through to lunchtime — whether they hiked the trail or were on the driveway into the carpark. “We have spoken to a couple of people but are still trying to talk to a couple that are outstanding.” Mr Parker was first reported missing on June 3 and Sgt Swain said his family have passed on their thanks to those involved in the search. “I’ve spoken to the family and they are very appreciative of all the efforts form the volunteers,” he said. “All the work of the SES and the fire and rescue volunteers, who had to search in pretty tough conditions.” Mr Parker was driving a grey Nissan Navara with the registration O62 CN. Anyone with information about Mr Parker’s disappearance or who may have seen him or his car is asked to call Albany police on 9892 9300 or Crimestoppers on 131 444.