Police have been confronted with tough conditions in their new search for missing four-year-old Gus Lamont, as a former detective makes a huge call on the case.
Police will descend more mineshafts under gruelling conditions on Wednesday in the search for Gus Lamont, prompting one former investigator to suggest detectives must now confront all possibilities including “human intervention”.
Officers from the tactical STAR Group and dedicated search team Task Force Horizon descended on Oak Park Station, 40km south of Yunta, South Australia, under 30 degree heat on Tuesday.
However, they confirmed to SkyNews.com.au that yesterday’s efforts turned up no evidence of the young boy.
Gus Lamont, 4, was last seen on September 27 at his family’s homestead on the station, about 40km south of Yunta, 350km northeast of Adelaide. Picture: Supplied.
Police still estimate they will need until the end of Thursday to finish canvassing the six uncovered mineshafts on the property, dotted between 5.5km and 12km from the homestead.
Gus was last seen playing in a mound of dirt on September 27 at his family’s homestead on the station, about 40km south of Yunta, 350km northeast of Adelaide.
He was reportedly wearing a long-sleeved shirt, boots, a hat, and long pants when he disappeared.
“Four-year-olds, they drop everything,” Yorke Mid North Superintendent Mark Syrus said in early October.
“The fact we haven’t found a hat or a shoe or something is pretty unusual.”
Former homicide detective Gary Jubelin, who is not involved in the search, told the Today Show police would “look back at all the information they’ve got and explore all the opportunities”.
“The fact that they’re searching so far away from where Gus first disappeared suggests to me they’re looking at possible intervention,” he said.
A larger-than-average police crew are returning to the narrow mines on Wednesday morning with temperatures set to rise to nearly 30C.
It’s understood the “delicate” and “complex” search involved tactical police arranging belays and descending the narrow shafts in efforts to turn up the four-year-old’s body, or any of his possessions.
Police descended mine shafts in 30C heat on Tuesday, turning up no evidence of the four-year-old, as they prepare for two more days of searching. Picture: Brett Hartwig.
“We are determined to explore every avenue in an effort to locate Gus Lamont and provide some closure for his family,” she said.
It comes after police drained a 4.5 metre-deep dam on the property at the beginning of November “out of an abundance of caution”.
The dam lay just 600m from the homestead but turned up no evidence of the young boy.
Police divers had already explored the dam, but police said the draining would allow for a more comprehensive investigation of the area.
Police concluded a ground search preceding that on October 17.
Australian Defence Force personnel, State Emergency Service volunteers, and police scoured 95 square kilometres on foot, within a 5.5km radius of the homestead over four days.
Police returned to the property after the discovery of six uncovered, unfenced mine shafts on the Yunta property. Picture: Tim Joy.
An earlier 10-day search involving trackers, local property owners and police concluded without uncovering any clues as to young Gus’ whereabouts.
Original search areas extended further beyond the homestead with mounted operations units and Polair.
The extended search area has been estimated to be about 470square kilometres.
Police had been hopeful their extensive efforts on the ground would provide at least a clue to the direction young Gus may have walked.
“Task Force Horizon is conducting multiple lines of inquiry to locate Gus Lamont,” police said.
“These investigations have not uncovered any evidence of foul play.
“The family of Gus Lamont have continued to cooperate fully with police and are being supported by a victim contact officer.”
