At 5.30 pm this afternoon, Wednesday 27th April 2022 Tasmania Police received a 000 call from an Invermay man stating that he was lost with his two young children aged 10 and 11 years, near the Meander Falls track. The group left for their walk at 10.30am that morning with a plan to undertake the Split Rock Track circuit to the falls and back. Police attended the area at 6.30 pm and located the family’s Mitsubishi still parked in the carpark but were not able to locate the family.

A search commenced with the assistance of Tasmania Police Search and Rescue, Northern State Emergency Service volunteers and paramedics, arriving at the scene around 9.30 pm. 13 people took part in the search resulting in the group being located around 2.45am this morning approximately 150m off the formed track near to the falls. They were all wet and cold and required medical attention at the scene for mild hypothermia.

The group were returned to Meander Falls campsite to rest and warm up but were found to be otherwise physically well. The family and searchers are expected to be back at the Meander Falls Carpark around 6am this morning after a two hour walk ahead of them. Weather conditions prevented the use of any rescue aircraft.

Given inclement weather is fast approaching with the winter season, Tasmania Police would like to remind walkers to go prepared for mishaps and delays, let someone know where you are walking to and what time you are expected back. It is always a good idea to take a personal locator beacon such as an PLB or Spot device to assist with locating walkers who may become lost or injured.