- A body found on a mountain in Victoria is believed to be a missing elderly man
- Leslie Southwell, 88, was hiking when he became seperated from his group
- Police had concerns for him because of his age and the weather conditions
- He was out over the last eight days before separating from the group Thursday
- The group were trekking 4.7km from Cleve Cole Memorial Hut to Michelle Hut
A body found on a Victorian mountain is believed to be that of a missing elderly hiker.
A desperate search was underway for Leslie Southwell, who was hiking with friends when he went missing on Thursday.
Police said they found a body just after 9am on Sunday in the Mt Bogong area in north-east Victoria’s alpine region.
They said the death is not being treated as suspicious, and will be referred to the Coroner.
A desperate search was underway for 88-year-old man Leslie Southwell (pictured)
Mr Southwell was trekking through the area over eight days before he was separated from the rest of the group.
They were on a 4.7 kilometre trek from Cleve Cole Memorial Hut to Michelle Hut when friends noticed Mr Southwell was gone.
Police and family members had concerns for Mr Southwell’s welfare because of his age and the weather conditions in the Alpine area.
The elderly man was described as about 167cm with a thin build and short grey hair.
He was last seen wearing a dark Gore-Tex top and bottom.
Mr Southwell was carrying a royal blue back pack and was said to be well equipped for the environment carrying three days of food and an orange single man tent.
A man’s body was found on Mt Dodong in Victoria on Sunday morning