Lily Hooper: Search for teenager in Nattai National Park becomes more desperate as army called in

The army has been called in to help search the Southern Highland wilderness for a missing teenage bushwalker, who disappeared while on a hike seven days ago.

Lily Hooper, 18, was reported missing last Wednesday by her family after she told them she would go for a hike at Nattai National Park.

The experienced hiker left the Oakdale house about 8am Wednesday with the intention of hiking at the national park, but the alarm was raised about 10-pm when she failed to return home.

About 11pm the same day, Ms Hooper’s car was found parked on Wanganderry Rd near the start of the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail.

Emergency services are continuing the desperate search seven days later, with assistance from police’s Polair, rescue, trail bike, mounted and dog units, Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Ambulance, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and other aviation assets.

“Today, close to 100 members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) joined the search for Lily, which recommenced this morning – a combined 200 emergency services and defence personnel are searching the area today,” a NSW Police spokesman said.

More than 260 SES volunteers also on the ground as part of the search.

“Search crews continue to push through dense tree canopies, steep drops, and exceptionally rugged terrain across Nattai National Park and surrounding bushland,” the NSW SES Wollondilly Unit said in a statement.

“Emergency services remain fully integrated at the High Range Forward Command Post, maintaining a co-ordinated, persistent effort on the ground and in the air to bring Lily home.”

“Our family is absolutely devastated that our beloved daughter Lily is missing,” they said in a statement.

“We desperately want to bring Lily home safe and we ask as the search continues, to keep our family and Lily in your thoughts.

“We would like to thank all the emergency services and volunteers for their support and continued commitment to the search, not only during the day but throughout the night.

“We appreciate people who have made offers for the search but due to the terrain and conditions we ask just professional search teams continue.”

The community have been encouraged to stay alert for signs of the missing teenager.