Police seek public assistance as search goes into second day to locate hiker Christopher Moore on NSW's South Coast
New South Wales Police have issued a plea for public assistance to obtain information about the location of a missing hiker, as search efforts continue into second day.
Christopher Moore, 38, was dropped off on a camping trip on New South Wales' South Coast at about 10.30am on Wednesday.
He was due to be picked up on Twelve Mile Road, Jerrawangala, about 32km south of Nowra, on Friday, but did not arrive.
Police in the area were notified of his disappearance, with inquiries commencing into his whereabouts.
A search for the missing hiker begun on Saturday at 8am and continued throughout Sunday.
His family and police hold concerns for Mr Moore's welfare.
The 38-year-old is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall with a thin build, has short light brown hair, a beard and a moustache.
He was last seen wearing khaki and black pants and a khaki-coloured hooded jumper.
The NSW Police Rescue Squad along with local officers, Polair, the SES, and the state's Rural Fire Service have ramped up their search in the Jerrawangala National Park and bushland near Wandandian.
Chief Inspector David Cockram told the ABC the search effort is covering difficult terrain in the bid to find Mr Moore, who is an "experienced" hiker.
"You'd have to have some sort of experience, good provisions and good equipment to try and navigate through that area, particularly as a solo person," Chief Inspector Cockram said.
"I think (Mr Moore) had intentions to go off track as well, which provides some further complications for us.
"We've already had a couple of our colleagues succumb to some minor injuries just trying to traverse that ground through there."
Chief Inspector Cockram said authorities will have additional resources to continue to search for Mr Moore come Monday.
The public is urged to contact Nowra Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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Sky News AU
12 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Police seek public assistance as search goes into second day to locate hiker Christopher Moore on NSW's South Coast
New South Wales Police have issued a plea for public assistance to obtain information about the location of a missing hiker, as search efforts continue into second day. Christopher Moore, 38, was dropped off on a camping trip on New South Wales' South Coast at about 10.30am on Wednesday. He was due to be picked up on Twelve Mile Road, Jerrawangala, about 32km south of Nowra, on Friday, but did not arrive. Police in the area were notified of his disappearance, with inquiries commencing into his whereabouts. A search for the missing hiker begun on Saturday at 8am and continued throughout Sunday. His family and police hold concerns for Mr Moore's welfare. The 38-year-old is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall with a thin build, has short light brown hair, a beard and a moustache. He was last seen wearing khaki and black pants and a khaki-coloured hooded jumper. The NSW Police Rescue Squad along with local officers, Polair, the SES, and the state's Rural Fire Service have ramped up their search in the Jerrawangala National Park and bushland near Wandandian. Chief Inspector David Cockram told the ABC the search effort is covering difficult terrain in the bid to find Mr Moore, who is an "experienced" hiker. "You'd have to have some sort of experience, good provisions and good equipment to try and navigate through that area, particularly as a solo person," Chief Inspector Cockram said. "I think (Mr Moore) had intentions to go off track as well, which provides some further complications for us. "We've already had a couple of our colleagues succumb to some minor injuries just trying to traverse that ground through there." Chief Inspector Cockram said authorities will have additional resources to continue to search for Mr Moore come Monday. The public is urged to contact Nowra Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Stepping out on a 250km trek to Crescent Head in honour of fallen heroes
IT started with a knock at the door. It was supposed to be routine. Two police officers in uniform, responding to a domestic violence dispute. It was about 1am on July 9, 1995, when Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both aged 36, left Kempsey police station. They were heading out to see 35-year-old John McGowan, in a quiet street in Crescent Head. The officers, who had moved to Kempsey about six months before with their young families, had no idea what they were in for. McGowan, who neighbours later described as "just a normal bloke", had kitted himself out in sniper's attire and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The police had been to speak to McGowan's girlfriend before pulling up into the driveway in their 4WD. The two cops were carrying standard-issue Smith and Wesson .38 calibre revolvers. They were no match for McGowan's modified, high-powered weapon, about which there'd been no warning. What happened next changed policing. It shattered the lives of two families, and sent shockwaves through a sleepy, surfside community. And it struck deep into the hearts and souls of serving policemen across the state, including Newcastle-based, former homicide detective Pat Gleeson. Mr Gleeson, who was on scene later that day, said there was some kind of verbal exchange between McGowan and the two police when he opened the front door. Moments later, he opened fire. His rifle, a modified Ruger 14 with two magazines, could fire 30 rounds without reloading. Constable Spears was shot in the first salvo while attempting to get back to the car to radio for help. Constable Addison made it into a house across the road, hoping to find a phone there to call for help. "There was an old fellow in there, Noel, who was hiding in the fridge," Mr Gleeson said. He was hiding because shots had been coming through the World War II veteran's house. But he didn't have a phone, he told Constable Addison, because it was his holiday house. So, knowing his partner had been shot, Constable Addison went back out into the street to either stop the gunman or to find a phone to call for help. He, too, was shot in the line of duty. "They would have thought they were going out to a run-of-the-mill type of job ... there's no way you would have been expecting to be confronted by that," Mr Gleeson said. McGowan later shot himself. That was nearly 30 years ago, and tomorrow (June 29) Mr Gleeson will set off on a 250km ten-day walk from Port Stephens to Crescent Head in honour of their sacrifice, and to raise money for police legacy. He has already surpassed his initial goal to raise $15,000, but is still accepting donations. Mr Gleeson says by the time he got to the scene of that crime in Walker Street, a police command had been set up, the tactical operations unit was there, and Polair was in the air above. Being attached to the homicide unit, he'd seen a lot of bodies, but here he was confronted for the first time with the murder of two men in uniform - two of his own. Family. It was a moment of realisation for Mr Gleeson, bringing into sharp focus for the first time the peril police place themselves in every day to protect the community. "It gave me a new level of respect for first responders who turn up to every job," Mr Gleeson said. It changed his view of the potential dangers of the job. There is another side to the story, which has its beginnings in Mr Gleeson's own childhood, very close to home. In fact, he says he can't remember when Legacy wasn't a part of his life. Mr Gleeson's father served in the 1st Australian Mountain Battery, fighting at Kokoda and Milne Bay before joining the occupation forces in Japan. He died when Pat was eight years old, and Legacy was there. They helped with school fees, ensured the family had what they needed, and always checked in on his mum, himself, and his brother Jim, Mr Gleeson said. "'They never missed a birthday or Christmas, ensuring we felt supported and remembered," he said. "Being a single mum raising two boys in the 1970s was a tough gig, but Legacy ensured we never felt alone," Mr Gleeson said. "That support shaped who I am today." This is his way of giving back. The deaths of Senior Constables Spears and Addison were subject to a coronal inquiry headed by Former State Coroner Derrick Hand. He found the two officers had been "massively outgunned", lacked bulletproof vests, and were hampered by poor radio communications. He was told that a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then-standard police weapon, would have let Constable Addison reload more efficiently under pressure. The incident sparked a transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, and improved radio coverage and equipment, as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police. Both men were posthumously awarded the Commissioner's Medal for Valour and the National Police Service Medal. All are welcome to join Mr Gleeson for the last 30 kilometres of the walk from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head. Among those who are keen to join in is Constable Spears' widow, Kathy Spears. To find out more or to support his fundraising efforts, visit NSW Police Legacy's website. IT started with a knock at the door. It was supposed to be routine. Two police officers in uniform, responding to a domestic violence dispute. It was about 1am on July 9, 1995, when Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both aged 36, left Kempsey police station. They were heading out to see 35-year-old John McGowan, in a quiet street in Crescent Head. The officers, who had moved to Kempsey about six months before with their young families, had no idea what they were in for. McGowan, who neighbours later described as "just a normal bloke", had kitted himself out in sniper's attire and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The police had been to speak to McGowan's girlfriend before pulling up into the driveway in their 4WD. The two cops were carrying standard-issue Smith and Wesson .38 calibre revolvers. They were no match for McGowan's modified, high-powered weapon, about which there'd been no warning. What happened next changed policing. It shattered the lives of two families, and sent shockwaves through a sleepy, surfside community. And it struck deep into the hearts and souls of serving policemen across the state, including Newcastle-based, former homicide detective Pat Gleeson. Mr Gleeson, who was on scene later that day, said there was some kind of verbal exchange between McGowan and the two police when he opened the front door. Moments later, he opened fire. His rifle, a modified Ruger 14 with two magazines, could fire 30 rounds without reloading. Constable Spears was shot in the first salvo while attempting to get back to the car to radio for help. Constable Addison made it into a house across the road, hoping to find a phone there to call for help. "There was an old fellow in there, Noel, who was hiding in the fridge," Mr Gleeson said. He was hiding because shots had been coming through the World War II veteran's house. But he didn't have a phone, he told Constable Addison, because it was his holiday house. So, knowing his partner had been shot, Constable Addison went back out into the street to either stop the gunman or to find a phone to call for help. He, too, was shot in the line of duty. "They would have thought they were going out to a run-of-the-mill type of job ... there's no way you would have been expecting to be confronted by that," Mr Gleeson said. McGowan later shot himself. That was nearly 30 years ago, and tomorrow (June 29) Mr Gleeson will set off on a 250km ten-day walk from Port Stephens to Crescent Head in honour of their sacrifice, and to raise money for police legacy. He has already surpassed his initial goal to raise $15,000, but is still accepting donations. Mr Gleeson says by the time he got to the scene of that crime in Walker Street, a police command had been set up, the tactical operations unit was there, and Polair was in the air above. Being attached to the homicide unit, he'd seen a lot of bodies, but here he was confronted for the first time with the murder of two men in uniform - two of his own. Family. It was a moment of realisation for Mr Gleeson, bringing into sharp focus for the first time the peril police place themselves in every day to protect the community. "It gave me a new level of respect for first responders who turn up to every job," Mr Gleeson said. It changed his view of the potential dangers of the job. There is another side to the story, which has its beginnings in Mr Gleeson's own childhood, very close to home. In fact, he says he can't remember when Legacy wasn't a part of his life. Mr Gleeson's father served in the 1st Australian Mountain Battery, fighting at Kokoda and Milne Bay before joining the occupation forces in Japan. He died when Pat was eight years old, and Legacy was there. They helped with school fees, ensured the family had what they needed, and always checked in on his mum, himself, and his brother Jim, Mr Gleeson said. "'They never missed a birthday or Christmas, ensuring we felt supported and remembered," he said. "Being a single mum raising two boys in the 1970s was a tough gig, but Legacy ensured we never felt alone," Mr Gleeson said. "That support shaped who I am today." This is his way of giving back. The deaths of Senior Constables Spears and Addison were subject to a coronal inquiry headed by Former State Coroner Derrick Hand. He found the two officers had been "massively outgunned", lacked bulletproof vests, and were hampered by poor radio communications. He was told that a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then-standard police weapon, would have let Constable Addison reload more efficiently under pressure. The incident sparked a transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, and improved radio coverage and equipment, as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police. Both men were posthumously awarded the Commissioner's Medal for Valour and the National Police Service Medal. All are welcome to join Mr Gleeson for the last 30 kilometres of the walk from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head. Among those who are keen to join in is Constable Spears' widow, Kathy Spears. To find out more or to support his fundraising efforts, visit NSW Police Legacy's website. IT started with a knock at the door. It was supposed to be routine. Two police officers in uniform, responding to a domestic violence dispute. It was about 1am on July 9, 1995, when Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both aged 36, left Kempsey police station. They were heading out to see 35-year-old John McGowan, in a quiet street in Crescent Head. The officers, who had moved to Kempsey about six months before with their young families, had no idea what they were in for. McGowan, who neighbours later described as "just a normal bloke", had kitted himself out in sniper's attire and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The police had been to speak to McGowan's girlfriend before pulling up into the driveway in their 4WD. The two cops were carrying standard-issue Smith and Wesson .38 calibre revolvers. They were no match for McGowan's modified, high-powered weapon, about which there'd been no warning. What happened next changed policing. It shattered the lives of two families, and sent shockwaves through a sleepy, surfside community. And it struck deep into the hearts and souls of serving policemen across the state, including Newcastle-based, former homicide detective Pat Gleeson. Mr Gleeson, who was on scene later that day, said there was some kind of verbal exchange between McGowan and the two police when he opened the front door. Moments later, he opened fire. His rifle, a modified Ruger 14 with two magazines, could fire 30 rounds without reloading. Constable Spears was shot in the first salvo while attempting to get back to the car to radio for help. Constable Addison made it into a house across the road, hoping to find a phone there to call for help. "There was an old fellow in there, Noel, who was hiding in the fridge," Mr Gleeson said. He was hiding because shots had been coming through the World War II veteran's house. But he didn't have a phone, he told Constable Addison, because it was his holiday house. So, knowing his partner had been shot, Constable Addison went back out into the street to either stop the gunman or to find a phone to call for help. He, too, was shot in the line of duty. "They would have thought they were going out to a run-of-the-mill type of job ... there's no way you would have been expecting to be confronted by that," Mr Gleeson said. McGowan later shot himself. That was nearly 30 years ago, and tomorrow (June 29) Mr Gleeson will set off on a 250km ten-day walk from Port Stephens to Crescent Head in honour of their sacrifice, and to raise money for police legacy. He has already surpassed his initial goal to raise $15,000, but is still accepting donations. Mr Gleeson says by the time he got to the scene of that crime in Walker Street, a police command had been set up, the tactical operations unit was there, and Polair was in the air above. Being attached to the homicide unit, he'd seen a lot of bodies, but here he was confronted for the first time with the murder of two men in uniform - two of his own. Family. It was a moment of realisation for Mr Gleeson, bringing into sharp focus for the first time the peril police place themselves in every day to protect the community. "It gave me a new level of respect for first responders who turn up to every job," Mr Gleeson said. It changed his view of the potential dangers of the job. There is another side to the story, which has its beginnings in Mr Gleeson's own childhood, very close to home. In fact, he says he can't remember when Legacy wasn't a part of his life. Mr Gleeson's father served in the 1st Australian Mountain Battery, fighting at Kokoda and Milne Bay before joining the occupation forces in Japan. He died when Pat was eight years old, and Legacy was there. They helped with school fees, ensured the family had what they needed, and always checked in on his mum, himself, and his brother Jim, Mr Gleeson said. "'They never missed a birthday or Christmas, ensuring we felt supported and remembered," he said. "Being a single mum raising two boys in the 1970s was a tough gig, but Legacy ensured we never felt alone," Mr Gleeson said. "That support shaped who I am today." This is his way of giving back. The deaths of Senior Constables Spears and Addison were subject to a coronal inquiry headed by Former State Coroner Derrick Hand. He found the two officers had been "massively outgunned", lacked bulletproof vests, and were hampered by poor radio communications. He was told that a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then-standard police weapon, would have let Constable Addison reload more efficiently under pressure. The incident sparked a transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, and improved radio coverage and equipment, as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police. Both men were posthumously awarded the Commissioner's Medal for Valour and the National Police Service Medal. All are welcome to join Mr Gleeson for the last 30 kilometres of the walk from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head. Among those who are keen to join in is Constable Spears' widow, Kathy Spears. To find out more or to support his fundraising efforts, visit NSW Police Legacy's website. IT started with a knock at the door. It was supposed to be routine. Two police officers in uniform, responding to a domestic violence dispute. It was about 1am on July 9, 1995, when Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both aged 36, left Kempsey police station. They were heading out to see 35-year-old John McGowan, in a quiet street in Crescent Head. The officers, who had moved to Kempsey about six months before with their young families, had no idea what they were in for. McGowan, who neighbours later described as "just a normal bloke", had kitted himself out in sniper's attire and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The police had been to speak to McGowan's girlfriend before pulling up into the driveway in their 4WD. The two cops were carrying standard-issue Smith and Wesson .38 calibre revolvers. They were no match for McGowan's modified, high-powered weapon, about which there'd been no warning. What happened next changed policing. It shattered the lives of two families, and sent shockwaves through a sleepy, surfside community. And it struck deep into the hearts and souls of serving policemen across the state, including Newcastle-based, former homicide detective Pat Gleeson. Mr Gleeson, who was on scene later that day, said there was some kind of verbal exchange between McGowan and the two police when he opened the front door. Moments later, he opened fire. His rifle, a modified Ruger 14 with two magazines, could fire 30 rounds without reloading. Constable Spears was shot in the first salvo while attempting to get back to the car to radio for help. Constable Addison made it into a house across the road, hoping to find a phone there to call for help. "There was an old fellow in there, Noel, who was hiding in the fridge," Mr Gleeson said. He was hiding because shots had been coming through the World War II veteran's house. But he didn't have a phone, he told Constable Addison, because it was his holiday house. So, knowing his partner had been shot, Constable Addison went back out into the street to either stop the gunman or to find a phone to call for help. He, too, was shot in the line of duty. "They would have thought they were going out to a run-of-the-mill type of job ... there's no way you would have been expecting to be confronted by that," Mr Gleeson said. McGowan later shot himself. That was nearly 30 years ago, and tomorrow (June 29) Mr Gleeson will set off on a 250km ten-day walk from Port Stephens to Crescent Head in honour of their sacrifice, and to raise money for police legacy. He has already surpassed his initial goal to raise $15,000, but is still accepting donations. Mr Gleeson says by the time he got to the scene of that crime in Walker Street, a police command had been set up, the tactical operations unit was there, and Polair was in the air above. Being attached to the homicide unit, he'd seen a lot of bodies, but here he was confronted for the first time with the murder of two men in uniform - two of his own. Family. It was a moment of realisation for Mr Gleeson, bringing into sharp focus for the first time the peril police place themselves in every day to protect the community. "It gave me a new level of respect for first responders who turn up to every job," Mr Gleeson said. It changed his view of the potential dangers of the job. There is another side to the story, which has its beginnings in Mr Gleeson's own childhood, very close to home. In fact, he says he can't remember when Legacy wasn't a part of his life. Mr Gleeson's father served in the 1st Australian Mountain Battery, fighting at Kokoda and Milne Bay before joining the occupation forces in Japan. He died when Pat was eight years old, and Legacy was there. They helped with school fees, ensured the family had what they needed, and always checked in on his mum, himself, and his brother Jim, Mr Gleeson said. "'They never missed a birthday or Christmas, ensuring we felt supported and remembered," he said. "Being a single mum raising two boys in the 1970s was a tough gig, but Legacy ensured we never felt alone," Mr Gleeson said. "That support shaped who I am today." This is his way of giving back. The deaths of Senior Constables Spears and Addison were subject to a coronal inquiry headed by Former State Coroner Derrick Hand. He found the two officers had been "massively outgunned", lacked bulletproof vests, and were hampered by poor radio communications. He was told that a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then-standard police weapon, would have let Constable Addison reload more efficiently under pressure. The incident sparked a transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, and improved radio coverage and equipment, as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police. Both men were posthumously awarded the Commissioner's Medal for Valour and the National Police Service Medal. All are welcome to join Mr Gleeson for the last 30 kilometres of the walk from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head. Among those who are keen to join in is Constable Spears' widow, Kathy Spears. To find out more or to support his fundraising efforts, visit NSW Police Legacy's website.
The Age
5 days ago
- The Age
‘Rise up': Strike on notorious prison carried message for Iranians, released Australian says
An Australian academic who spent more than two years as a political prisoner in Iran says the Israeli missile strike on the notorious Evin Prison where she was held was a symbolic blow against Iran's repressive regime, intended to send a message to Iranians about the weakness of their rulers. Iranian state television shared black-and-white surveillance footage of the overnight strike at the prison, which is known for holding dual nationals and Westerners who are often used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West. 'It was very affecting for me to see the footage of the strike on gates which I have passed through too many times to remember,' Kylie Moore-Gilbert told this masthead. 'In my view this was a symbolic strike designed to send a message to the Iranian people about the regime's weakness. Evin Prison is a hugely potent symbol of the regime's repressive apparatus and destroying the prison gates might have been a not-so-subtle nudge for the people to rise up and reclaim their freedom.' Now a specialist in Middle Eastern political science at Macquarie University, Moore-Gilbert was arrested after attending a conference in Qom in 2018 and imprisoned by the regime in an act of hostage diplomacy. She was held in solitary confinement and sentenced to 10 years in jail on trumped-up charges of espionage but returned to Australia as part of a prisoner swap in November 2020. 'From what I can discern no prison blocks or residential wards were targeted, just the gates and some judicial and administrative buildings,' she said of the overnight strike. 'I am very worried about the prisoners inside, particularly as word has begun to emerge of terrifying scenes, with crazy behaviour from guards, [of] prisoners refused medical treatment and families gathering in desperation outside.' After the strike social media posts contained descriptions of people being injured as guards raced to safety and of using force to strengthen security rather than aid injured inmates.
