Jay Fowler, 19, has been named as the Tenambit teenager who was tragically found dead in Hunter bushland on Wednesday. He was enjoying a trip with friends and family when he left the campsite to go for a walk on Monday.
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He did not return and was reported missing. Following an extensive search by emergency services his body was reportedly found at the bottom of a cliff in the Watagans, near McLeans Lookout on Wednesday morning.
FAMILY STATEMENT
"Obviously this is a very difficult time for Jay's family. What was supposed to be an enjoyable weekend outing has ended in tragedy this morning with the discovery of Jay's body.
The family would like to pass on its sincere thanks to all the emergency services that have worked so hard over the last few days and provided such constant help and encouragement.
We'd also like to thank the media for helping publicise it in the hope that Jay would be located safe and well.
As I said this is a very difficult time for the family and friends who are devastated by what has happened.
The family would appreciate their privacy being respected and won't be making any further comment."
WEDNESDAY
A teenager from Tenambit missing in the Watagans has been found dead.
Police located the body while searching in the state’s Central Hunter region.
The 19-year-old was last seen about 9am on Monday when he left his campsite at McLean’s Lookout to go for a walk.
Emergency services were alerted when he failed to return and could not be located or contacted.
Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command launched a full-scale search for the man, utilising the Special Casualty Access Team (SCAT), Volunteer Rescue Association, SES and Police Rescue.
About 9am on Wednesday a body was located in bushland near McLeans Lookout.
While the body is yet to be formally identified, it’s believed to be that of the missing man.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
EARLIER REPORT
There is still no news about a teenager from Tenambit who went missing in bushland in the Hunter on Monday.
The 19-year-old man was last seen by friends as he left the camp at McLean’s Lookout in Watagans for a brief walk about 9am.
His parents are hopeful he will be found alive and were at the campsite all day on Tuesday while the search was under way.
“Everyone is still hopeful he will be found OK, he may be injured, but that’s the frame of mind they’re in,” Central Hunter police duty officer Greg Lindsell told AAP.
The teenager’s friends became concerned and contacted police when he didn’t return on Monday morning.
Tuesday’s search focused on an area around McLean’s Lookout continued until nightfall.
A team of 50 people combed bushland including police officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command, the Police Rescue Squad and PolAir, the SES, Volunteer Rescue Association and the NSW Ambulance Special Casualty Access Team.
The search will resume on Wednesday morning if the man isn’t found.