The search for a 66-year-old man missing in the Duckhole Lake Track area at Strathblane since Saturday afternoon is continuing today but has been significantly scaled down.

“We have consulted with international medical experts and sadly do not believe Mr Fairfax could have survived given his medical condition and the length of time he has been missing,” Inspector David Wiss, who is in charge of the search, said today.

“While the search is continuing today, the search is likely to be formally suspended some time today. The Fairfax family have been informed of this and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time,” Inspector Wiss said.

“Tasmania Police will however conduct a number of other specialist searches, including the use of police divers, over the coming weeks.

Inspector Wiss said that police would also like to speak with two people who were in the area on Saturday afternoon to further pinpoint Mr Fairfax’s last known movements.

“We would particularly like to speak with a woman in her 70s who was returning on the Creekton Falls Track around midday on Saturday, as well as a man in his mid 50s with a ponytail, driving a blue or green coloured older model vehicle parked in the track car park.

“Any information relevant to Mr Fairfax’s disappearance will be thoroughly investigated and we hope to bring closure to his family and loved ones.”

“Tasmania Police would like to thank the overwhelming number of volunteers who have come forward to help over the last five days. They have done a fantastic job in searching and researching the area, which also contains some impenetrable terrain,” he said.

Meanwhile, the search for a 55 year old woman who is believed to have fallen from a boat in the Lymington area since Saturday also continues today and is likely to formally conclude this afternoon.