Arabic version: عائلة ليلي هوبر محطّمة مع دخول البحث يومه السابع

According to ABC News, the family of missing bushwalker Lily Hooper says it is “absolutely devastated” as the search for the 18-year-old continues for a seventh day in Nattai National Park.

Hooper left her home south-west of Sydney last Wednesday morning to go hiking in the Southern Highlands park. Her car was later found near the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail, but an extensive multi-agency operation that began on Wednesday night has found no trace of her.

In a statement released through NSW Police, the family thanked emergency services and volunteers for their support and commitment to the search during the day and night. They said they were desperate to bring their “beloved daughter” home safely and asked the community to keep Lily and the family in their thoughts.

The family asked people who had offered to help with the search to allow professional teams to continue because of the terrain and conditions. They also requested privacy and understanding while they navigate what they described as an “unimaginable situation”.

Specialist police crews, 200 SES teams and rescue helicopters were involved at the command site. Searchers have been working through dense bush, deep ravines and clifftops in rough, vast terrain, while facing inclement weather expected to clear on Thursday. Police said they were continuing to examine telecommunications information, believing Hooper had her mobile phone with her.