Missing French tourist who sparked a massive search and rescue operation in crocodile-infested national park was actually hiding in a cave writing a children’s book
- Missing French national was camping under a rock and writing a children’s book
- Yann Buriet was last seen at Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park on Saturday
- Mr Buriet returned uninjured to his white van on Thursday morning about 8.40
A missing French tourist who sparked a massive search and rescue operation in a famous national park was actually camping in a cave writing a children’s book.
Yann Buriet, 31, was last seen camping at Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park, in the Northern Territory, on August 17, sparking a large-scale ground and air search.
But Mr Buriet was in fact camping in a rock overhang with sufficient food and water supplies, unaware of the emergency mission surrounding him.
The French traveller stayed at the well-concealed rock for five days before he returned to his white Mitsubishi van about 8.40am on Thursday.
Yann Buriet sparked a massive search and rescue operation in a famous national park – but was actually camping in a cave writing a children’s book
The French traveller – who was last seen on Saturday – stayed at the well-concealed rock overhand (pictured) for five days before he returned to his van about 8.40am on Thursday
Senior Constable Stuart Winter said search crews couldn’t believe it was Mr Buriet and they were thrilled with the result, NT News reported.
‘It’s an excellent result. We had 324 square kilometres to search and a lot of that was escarpment country,’ he said.
NT Police Superintendent Hege Burns said Mr Buriet was not injured but was left ’embarrassed about all the fuss’.
‘We are very happy to see him alive and well. He had provisions, he had food and he had water,’ she said.
‘He hadn’t got lost. He had been up camping in one of the caves.’
Mr Buriet was assessed for injuries, dehydration and heat exposure.
Mr Buriet was in fact camping in at a rock overhang with sufficient food and water supplies, unaware of the emergency mission surrounding him
Police became concerned about Mr Buriet’s whereabouts on Tuesday as his van, parked at the campsite at Gunlom Falls, seemingly hadn’t been touched in days
Police became concerned by Mr Buriet’s whereabouts on Tuesday as his van, parked at the campsite at Gunlom Falls, seemingly hadn’t been touched in days.
They believed Mr Buriet had been staying in Darwin and travelled to the national park on August 16.
The French Consulate was advised of the search and police said family members had been contacted.
In a statement, Ms Burns said: ‘This is a timely reminder for members of the public to make necessary plans when travelling outdoors’.
‘Always ensure you notify somebody of your travel plans, know your limits, and research the area prior to travel.’
‘In case of emergency or calls for assistance, carry a satellite phone so you can notify emergency services or any other relevant contacts.’
The French Consulate was advised of the search and police said family members had been contacted. In a statement, Ms Burns said: ‘This is a timely reminder for members of the public to make necessary plans when travelling outdoors’