The search for a missing 26-year-old man, Gach, in the Northern Territory is now on its third day, with rising concerns over his wellbeing due to forecasted sub-zero temperatures. Gach was last seen leaving his home in Alice Springs at approximately 3:30 PM on Monday, shortly after speaking to his family by phone. He failed to report for work later that night.
Authorities discovered his car, a red Mazda CX5 with Northern Territory registration CF05BH, the following morning on Larapinta Drive, nearly 15 kilometres from John Flynn’s Grave Historical Reserve. An extensive search operation has since commenced, involving more than 50 emergency services personnel and rangers covering a challenging 500 kilometres in the rugged terrain about 21 kilometres west of Alice Springs.
NT Police Search Coordinator Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr stated that the search efforts have been comprehensive with significant local support. Concerns are growing as temperatures dropped to minus 0.5 degrees Celsius today and are expected to reach two degrees tomorrow and zero degrees over the weekend.
Gach is described as tall, around six feet, with a lean build and short curly hair, and was last noted to be wearing a red or orange puffer jacket, cream tracksuit pants, and dark athletic shoes. Authorities are appealing to the public for information, particularly from anyone who might have seen Gach in the areas of Larapinta Drive, Standley Chasm, or Simpsons Gap on the evening of his disappearance. Any relevant sightings or tips should be reported to the police as the search continues.