By Abbey Cannan
An elderly hiker has been reunited with her husband after being lost on Fraser Island for three days.
Police lead a search and rescue for the 73-year-old woman who was last seen on the Fraser Island Great Walk on the afternoon of Thursday 17 September.
Madeleine Nowak had previous trail walking experience and was on an organised tour when she became separated from the group in difficult terrain.
In what may have helped in her survival, Madeleine had clothing and food with her at the time of her disappearance.
Acting Inspector Brooke Flood said the woman was found after coming out of the scrub on to Eastern Beach, where she spotted campers who alerted police.
“Surprisingly after three days sleeping rough in difficult terrain she is of good health. There is no immediate concerns about her health and her welfare,“ Ms Flood said.
“Everybody involved in the search effort was just so relieved. It’s been a really, really long three days.
Ms Flood said the whole community played a part in the search and rescue.
“The work of the SES during the line searches was just amazing,“ she said.
“We’ve had volunteers from all across the Wide Bay district. The volunteers and the police who were assisting were basically living rough due to a lack of accommodation for them. Everybody who has chipped in and helped to get this fantastic result have put in 100 per cent effort.“
Ms Flood said the biggest issue during the search was the difficult terrain.
“The bush land is very dense and very thick and the missing person actually said she heard choppers overhead but because of the canopy she just couldn’t get their attention,“ she said.
“That’s probably one of the most difficult things as well as getting assistance over to the island. It’s a massive logistic process.“
Ms Flood said although the island was beautiful, it was a very difficult location when it comes to a search and rescue.
“I cannot reiterate enough for people when travelling around the island, walking through the island, they need to make sure that they’re prepared for the journey they set out on,“ she said.
“Having enough food and water, and if they do get disorientated and lost, staying in that one location.
“If you stay as close as possible to where you have gone missing, the chances of you being located during the search dramatically increase.
“The island is very busy during the September school holidays and people just need to be aware and exercise caution while on the island.“
