Police have scaled back the search for missing four-year-old August 'Gus' Lamont, who disappeared from his family's sheep station near Yunta, South Australia, on Saturday afternoon. Assistant Police Commissioner Ian Parrott confirmed on Friday that the operation has shifted to a recovery effort, with no trace of the boy found despite extensive searches.
Authorities have asked the public to stop calling with 'opinions' and only provide factual information. Senior Constable Peter Williams told ABC Radio Adelaide that phone lines have been 'inundated' since a photo of Gus was released, urging callers to keep opinions to themselves and only share information that could assist the investigation.
The search, described as one of the largest in recent South Australian history, involved State Emergency Service volunteers, drones, helicopters, police divers, mounted officers, and nearly 50 Australian Defence Force personnel. A tiny footprint was found 500 metres from the homestead on Tuesday night, but police cautioned it could have been there for a week.
Police have stated they do not believe the disappearance is suspicious. The family, who earlier said they were 'struggling to comprehend' the situation, have been informed that Gus may not have survived due to the time elapsed, his age, and the terrain. The search will now be managed by the missing persons investigation section.
