The family of an 18-year-old hiker who was found dead after going missing in the Australian outback for eight days was mistakenly informed that she had been found alive.
Lily Hooper was reported missing after she did not return to her New South Wales home from a solo hike on August 12.
Her body was discovered in a remote area after an extensive search, but her family was mistakenly informed that Ms Hooper had been found alive.
Ms Hooper’s family were seen celebrating at the search site after what the police described as “the miscommunication”.
Ms Hooper’s father Jim Hooper had brought her guitar and favourite chocolate Tim Tams to the search efforts on Thursday.
“I was never going to give up. She’s a beautiful girl,” Jim said.
Her mother Kirrily had washed her hair and worn her good trainers, believing she would be reunited with her daughter, 7 News Australia reported.
The state premier Chris Minns even announced that Ms Hooper had been found alive during a live broadcast of a Senate committee hearing, only to retract his statement minutes later.
“I apologise to the committee, but it seems as if the early advice was wrong,” Minns said.
“This is obviously devastating, and I’m just profoundly sad for her family and all those concerned.”
Minns later issued a statement apologising again for sharing the incorrect information.
“I genuinely believed I was sharing good news,” he said.
“My deepest condolences are with Lily’s family. I am profoundly sorry to think that anything I said may have added to their heartbreak at an already devastating time.”
Police apologised for the mistake.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said that “sadly this morning there was a miscommunication when Lily’s body was recovered.”
“I unreservedly apologise for that miscommunication,” he said, as well as “any additional trauma that may have caused Lily’s family, but certainly for the embarrassment and confusion that caused.”
“The miscommunication obviously was born out of elation that Lily had been found,” added Lanyon. “Tragically, that miscommunication then led to a deflation.”
A coroner will now investigate the cause of Hooper’s death. There will also be an investigation into how the miscommunication occurred.
Nattai National Park is around 50 miles from Sydney and is known for its rugged terrain and giant sandstone cliffs.
In the last week, the park has experienced harsh winds and cold temperatures overnight.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
