British businessman Gary Tweddle missing in Australian bushland

Missing British businessman Gary Tweddle is a survivalist and experienced bushwalker whose fitness might save his life after four days lost in the Australian bush, police said today.

But they will boost the search for him as temperatures drop with snow expected over the weekend. Berkshire-born Mr Tweddle, 23, went missing in rugged terrain in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales after midnight on Monday. He had been staying in the town of Leura, west of Sydney, for a business conference.

He appeared to be in good spirits when he called a friend on his mobile to say he was lost after going for a walk, saying he was in bushland but was close to a main road. But he has not been seen or heard from again. Police fear that Mr Tweddle, who moved from Berkshire to Australia at the age of 16 with his family, had an accident while walking on steep tracks in the dark. They have been unable to locate his phone signal.

Det Insp Mick Bostock said: “We are planning to ramp up the search tomorrow before temperatures drop and snow is expected. This is a very fit young man. He is an experienced bushwalker. He is also a bit of a survivalist. He’s out there somewhere.”