Bush Search and Rescue Victoria

Date: Monday 17 & Tuesday 18 March 2003.

This search developed when Mark Hulme’s car was reported to Police on Saturday 15 March 2003 parked at the Woods Point Road, Cambarville Track intersection.  The windows were down, keys in the ignition and some bushwalking gear was in the car.  Mark’s family had no knowledge of his intentions.  He was 38 years old; a fit, experienced bushwalker who had participated in rogaines.  He had a psychiatric medical condition.

Local Police and SES conducted a search on Sunday 16 March without success.  The Police Search and Rescue Squad joined the search that evening and called in BSAR.  Merv Trease conducted the callout and thirty three BSAR members were at Cambarville by 8.00am Monday 17 March.

The eight BS&R search groups conducted a general search of the main stream, side gullies and spurs of Armstrong Creek, initially focussed below the Woods Point and Reefton Spur roads.  As these tasks were completed, searching expanded to take in streams and gullies above the Woods Point Road and the Arnold Creek watershed to the northeast of Cambarville.  Day searching sufficed and most groups completed two tasks each day.  The BSAR group camped overnight at Cambarville.

The weather was mild to warm, with a total fine ban on the Tuesday.

This search was the first with our two-day rather than three-day commitment for members.  As it happened, after two days all the high probability gullies and creeks had been searched without any sign of Mark Hulme being found.  No further contribution by BSAR was required.  Otherwise, there would have been a second BSAR callout.  Members already present would have had option of staying on or returning to Melbourne.

The maps used were produced from a digital source, providing a convenient map of the exact search area.  We are still working through with the Police the best ways to ensure the timely production of adequate quantities of the most up to date map for searchers.

This search showed up some limitations of the etrex GPS units.  They were very slow to pick up a signal in deep gullies with sub-alpine mature forest, so their capacity to track each search group’s progress was poor.  However the GPS remains a very useful search tool, particularly if a group has a significant find, which would obviously involve stopping to get a careful reading.

Searchers locating the footprints of other search parties was common.  This emphasised the importance of search groups knowing the routes of adjoining and intersecting search groups.  It also highlighted the necessity of search groups indicating their passage with occasional toilet paper markers and a note at key points such as creek junctions or when joining or leaving a creek or track.

Leeches were a problem. All searchers were bitten, some badly.  Many also had scrub abrasions.  On a search of this scale in that type of country, we have suggested a first aid station at base, perhaps run by the Red Cross, St Johns or SES would be a very useful support to searchers.

The 33 BSAR members made a significant contribution to the search.  We received the usual outstanding support from Police, in particular Search and Rescue Squad, Transport Branch and the Field Catering Unit.  SES, Parks Victoria, and Melbourne Water provide us with excellent 4X4 transport.

By Wednesday 19 March every reasonable effort had been made through general searching by BSAR, line searching by SES, and extensive road patrols by Police, Melbourne Water and Parks personnel.  Media and Police helicopters also searched.  Wide ranging road and track patrols, continued over the following days.  Apart from his parked car, sadly no trace of Mark Hulme was found.

Duncan Brookes

FIELD ORGANISER