News

After days of searching with NSW Police, NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) volunteers have helped find Anthony ‘AJ’ Elfalak, who went missing on his family’s property in the Hunter region on Friday (3 September 2021).

Guided by the NSW Police helicopter PolAir and the Dog Unit, NSW SES volunteers found AJ on a riverbank and carried him to safety about 11.30am today (Monday 6 September 2021).

He was reunited with his family and is being assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

More than 100 volunteers per day helped with the multi-agency search for the missing boy.

Commissioner of NSW SES, Carlene York, commended the volunteers for helping find young AJ.

“I am so pleased to hear we were successful in finding the young boy and, more importantly, returning him to his family safe and sound,” Commissioner York said.

“Our volunteers are specially trained in land search and rescue, which is why we are so often called on by NSW Police to help.

“I am so incredibly proud of their efforts,” she added. Northern Zone Commander, Chief Superintendent Stephen Patterson, echoed Commissioner York’s praise of the volunteers.

“We are all too happy to support NSW Police with these searches,” Mr Patterson said.

“Jobs like these are why our volunteers sign up. We can only imagine the relief of AJ’s parents in having him returned home safe and well,” he said.

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