Growing fears for man missing near Mount Hotham since Friday
Key points
- The man, 70, was last seen near Dinner Plain on Friday afternoon.
- There were 100 people in the search party trying to find him on Monday.
- Despite, his relative fitness, authorities are concerned given the cold conditions in the area and the knowledge he was only wearing light clothing.
Freezing temperatures and overnight snow flurries are expected to create difficult conditions for a 70-year-old missing in Victoria’s High Country since Friday afternoon.
More than 100 people joined the search for the man, known only as Christos, on Monday as his four children issued a statement, describing their father as “a kind and loving person, a lover of nature, with an adventurous spirit”.
Christos was last seen at 2.45pm on Friday on Big Muster Drive, Dinner Plain, when he went for a walk to look for emus that had been reported in the area.
His children said they were devastated their father was still missing. They said Christos was adored by his family and friends, and they were praying his resilient nature would keep him safe.
“He is a grandfather to four beautiful granddaughters, and we know he would love to see them again,” they said.
Christos is described as very fit for his age, but police said given his 65-kilogram build and light clothing, the cold and strong winds had made the search urgent.
A walking route between Dinner Plain and Hotham, near where Melbourne man Christos has gone missing.
Inspector Paul Hargreaves said the temperature was due to hit freezing on Monday night.
“We are throwing everything at it [that] we have in the hope we can turn him up,” he said.
Christos, from Melbourne, was wearing a long-sleeved top, long-sleeved jumper, pants and Crocs when he went missing.
“It doesn’t matter what are you are, when you face extreme conditions it takes a toll on your body. When you’ve been without food for a number of days it’s going to be hard,” Hargreaves said.
“Wearing very light clothing, that cold’s going to hit him hard. We hope and pray he’s found some cover somewhere and is going to get out of that wind.”
Christos, 70, who went missing in the Victorian alpine town of Dinner Plain after he went for a walk on Friday.
Christos and his wife had been holidaying in the alpine region for three days before he went missing.
“He was just going to have a look around, so very innocent. We have no reason to suspect otherwise,” Hargreaves said.
“We know the conditions up here are not favourable to be out in the elements. The concern for us going forward is that we know it’s going to get colder … you spend 24 hours out in these conditions and it’s quite harmful to your health.
A walking route between Dinner Plain and Hotham, near where Melbourne man Christos has gone missing.
“Even if you’re out here and you have got the right gear on, the fact is if you have gotten wet, it’s going to be awkward for you in these conditions.”
Police said they thought Christos may have come across misadventure or become disoriented.
Hargreaves said detectives were keen to speak to anyone in the area who might have seen Christos or anyone who owned accommodation where he could have taken shelter overnight.
Dinner Plain is a small town 13 kilometres from Mount Hotham Alpine Resort and a little less than four hours’ drive from Melbourne.
Police said anyone with information about the whereabouts of Christos should phone 000 or Wangaratta police station on (03) 5723 0888.
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