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Miscommunication ends in death
NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon apologised after officers mistakenly told Lily Hooper’s family the 18-year-old bushwalker had been found alive following an eight-day search in the state’s Southern Highlands.
“Commissioner Mal Lanyon on Thursday was forced to apologise for the miscommunication”
Lanyon said the initial information communicated to Hooper’s parents was that she was alive, but police later confirmed she had been found dead.
The body was believed to be that of Hooper after it was located about 11.30am on Thursday in bushland in Nattai National Park, with police saying retrieval would be difficult due to the terrain.
NSW Premier Chris Minns told a parliamentary budget estimates committee that Hooper was alive after receiving incorrect advice, before later saying, “Lily’s body has been found” and “she’s been found deceased.”
Officials trade blame
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Joseph Cassar said the family was informed that searchers believed Hooper was alive and that an updated report arrived within eight-to-10 minutes, while he said he did not know exactly what was said to the Hooper family.
Cassar told reporters, “Within eight-to-10 minutes we were able to give them an update, which was a more accurate account,” as the communication breakdown was described as occurring in “thick, dense terrain.”
The Guardian reported Cassar saying, “There’s no playbook to communication,” after SES search volunteers initially reported Hooper had been found alive in “thick and dense terrain” before police received a “more accurate account” within 10 minutes.
Lanyon said the miscommunication was “born out of elation” and that it “Tragically… led to a deflation and obviously, we know now, an impact on her family,” while he also said, “I unashamedly apologise for any additional trauma” caused.
Next steps and fallout
Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner, investigating the time, place and circumstances of Hooper’s death as well as the search and communications issues.
“A report will be prepared for the coroner”
The Guardian said criminal investigators from the Hume police district were gathering evidence in line with police protocol, while police also said criminal investigators were involved as part of the response to the wrong information.
RNZ reported Lanyon said the next step was for police to recover the body, adding that an attempted helicopter retrieval was not possible because of the canopy and terrain.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute in parliament, calling Hooper’s death an “unspeakable tragedy,” while Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said any parent who learned of the teenager’s death would “hug their children tighter than usual.”
