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Backpacker Sam Woodhead missing in Australian outback | Backpacker Sam Woodhead missing in Australian outback |
(35 minutes later) | |
A British backpacker has disappeared after setting out on a run in the Australian outback. | A British backpacker has disappeared after setting out on a run in the Australian outback. |
Sam Woodhead was reported missing from a cattle station in central Queensland after he failed to return two days ago. | Sam Woodhead was reported missing from a cattle station in central Queensland after he failed to return two days ago. |
Local authorities launched a hunt for the former Brighton College student, reported to be 18 and from Richmond, south-west London, amid fears he may have lost his way. | Local authorities launched a hunt for the former Brighton College student, reported to be 18 and from Richmond, south-west London, amid fears he may have lost his way. |
Temperatures have been around 37C in the area this week. | Temperatures have been around 37C in the area this week. |
Mr Woodhead's mother is understood to have urged police to widen the search on the grounds that her son, an experienced long-distance runner, could have travelled some way from his base, near the town of Longreach. | Mr Woodhead's mother is understood to have urged police to widen the search on the grounds that her son, an experienced long-distance runner, could have travelled some way from his base, near the town of Longreach. |
Mr Woodhead had been in Australia for eight days before he disappeared on Tuesday afternoon. | Mr Woodhead had been in Australia for eight days before he disappeared on Tuesday afternoon. |
'Voluntary search party' | 'Voluntary search party' |
He was reported missing by the owner of Upshot Station, where he was working. | He was reported missing by the owner of Upshot Station, where he was working. |
His wallet is understood to have been found at the cattle ranch but there was no sign of his rucksack or running shoes. | His wallet is understood to have been found at the cattle ranch but there was no sign of his rucksack or running shoes. |
His sister Rebecca has appealed for news on Facebook. | His sister Rebecca has appealed for news on Facebook. |
"If anyone hears from my brother please contact me ASAP," she wrote on Wednesday. | "If anyone hears from my brother please contact me ASAP," she wrote on Wednesday. |
"Thanks so much for all your messages regarding Sam," she wrote in another posting. | "Thanks so much for all your messages regarding Sam," she wrote in another posting. |
"Still no further news but we have the helicopter going out again in the morning, Aus time, and hundreds of people going on a voluntary search party. will keep you all posted." | "Still no further news but we have the helicopter going out again in the morning, Aus time, and hundreds of people going on a voluntary search party. will keep you all posted." |
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware that a British national has been reported missing in Queensland, Australia. | A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware that a British national has been reported missing in Queensland, Australia. |
"Consular staff in Brisbane are in contact with Australian police who are conducting the search. | "Consular staff in Brisbane are in contact with Australian police who are conducting the search. |
"We are providing consular assistance to the family in the UK at this difficult time." | "We are providing consular assistance to the family in the UK at this difficult time." |
Richard Cairns, headmaster at Brighton College, said: "Sam is an impressively resourceful and determined character and I have every hope that he will be found safe, alive and well. | |
"Everyone at Brighton College is praying for his safe return and our thoughts are obviously with his parents Peter and Claire and his sister Rebecca at this immensely worrying time." |