Police have returned to South Australia’s remote outback to continue investigations into the disappearance of four‑year‑old August “Gus” Lamont, but the renewed search has so far come up empty.
Task Force Horizon officers began a three‑day operation at Oak Park Station on Tuesday, combing multiple locations across the remote outback property where Gus vanished on September 27 last year.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Another search day ends with no new clues into missing Gus Lamont case
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The search is being led by Major Crime detectives and specialist Special Tasks and Rescue Group officers.
Police said the decision to return to the station was prompted by recent heavy rain, which may have shifted soil, exposed new ground or created conditions that could reveal evidence previously hidden during earlier searches.
Despite those improved conditions, Wednesday’s efforts uncovered no trace of the missing boy.
Family have previously told police that Gus was last seen playing outside the homestead while his grandmother cared for his younger brother inside.
The original search — one of the largest in South Australian history — spanned more than 470 square kilometres and involved drones, aircraft, mounted officers, SES volunteers and Aboriginal trackers.
The only physical clue ever found in nearly 10 searches for the boy has been a single small footprint about 500 metres from the house.
The case has been declared a major crime, with detectives stating they do not believe Gus simply wandered off.
Task Force Horizon has since conducted extensive interviews, forensic examinations and multiple targeted searches across the 24,000‑hectare station.
Police say the renewed operation will continue over the coming days, with further updates to be provided as investigations progress.
