'Can't wait to make great memories': Search resumes for missing tourists
Before Hugo Palmer left Britain for a trip around Australia, he uploaded a photo to Instagram of his mother hugging him. The caption read: "The day is finally here that I'll be travelling to the other side of the world with my amazing friends. Can't wait to make some great memories and I couldn't do it without you guys."
Three months into the trip, Mr Palmer and friend Erwan Ferrieux had visited the Great Ocean Road, as well as Melbourne and Sydney's iconic beaches, snapping photos along the way. But positive comments from friends on Instagram quickly turned to ones of concern after news broke on Tuesday that the pair were missing on NSW's Mid North Coast.
Police said the 20-year-old men arrived in Port Macquarie on Sunday. They were notified the pair were missing on Monday morning when two walkers found items belonging to the friends, including towels and clothes, on Shelly Beach.
A silver Commodore station wagon with Queensland registration plates 141-YML was later located in the Shelly Beach car park, with personal items belonging to the pair, including travel documents, inside.
Mid North Coast Police Inspector Peter Neville said three Marine Rescue vessels and police divers were involved in a search on Wednesday.
"This whole operation is about locating and rescuing these young men. From some of the discussions I've had this morning, we honestly believe these people could well be alive," he said.
"At the moment this is strictly a rescue mission.
"The search extends three nautical miles offshore and predominantly south to Lighthouse Beach at Tacking Point.
"We have not put a time frame on the search; our efforts are entirely to locate these two men."
Two women, who are friends of the pair, have come forward and are co-operating with police.
The women "were due to meet [the men] in Port Macquarie – they have travelled here today to support not only operations but their friends", Inspector Neville said.
"The families of both young men have been informed of what has happened in Australia and we have been able to keep them appraised of the situation."
The conditions are "looking good for a search", said unit commander of Marine Rescue Port Macquarie Greg Davies.
"Hopefully we can get a result; we're doing the best we can," he said.
James Van Lieshout, who went to high school in East Grinstead, south of London, with the pair, said he hoped they'd be "found soon for the peace of mind of both family and friends".
"They're both great people," he said, adding they "were both incredibly kind and generous".
Police described Mr Palmer, an Englishman, as being of Caucasian appearance, with fair hair, 180 centimetres tall and of athletic build.
Mr Ferrieux, a French national, has dark hair, brown eyes, a tanned complexion and is between 175 and 180 centimetres tall.
Police are appealing to anyone who might have seen the men, or their car, near the Shelly Beach car park or in the surrounding streets, to contact them.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Laura is a journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald.