Police resume search for missing 4yo Gus on family property in remote South Australia

Police have completely drained a dam in the search for four-year-old Gus, who was last seen on his family’s property more than a month ago.

A dam on a remote South Australian sheep station has been drained during a new search for Gus Lamont — but there has still been no trace of the missing four-year-old boy.

Officers returned to the boy’s family homestead Oak Park Station – about 40km south of Yunta in the state’s Mid North – on Friday.

Police drained a large dam about 600m from the homestead in the renewed search.

The dam, which is about 4.5m deep, had been scoured by police divers in the initial days of the search for Gus.

“The draining of the dam will enable a comprehensive visual search to be completed, particularly areas with underwater vegetation,” police said on Thursday morning.

“The renewed search of the dam is being undertaken to rule out the possibility Gus may have drowned.

“This follows extensive ground and air searches of the area surrounding the homestead since Gus disappeared.”

On Friday evening, police said the draining had not revealed anything of significance.

“It took about three-and-a-half hours to drain the large dam, pumping water at approximately 15,000 litres per minute,” police said in a statement.

Gus, 4, was last seen on his family’s property more than a month ago. Picture: SA Police
“A total of 3.2 million litres of water was removed from the dam.

“Police divers have thoroughly searched the main dam and the holding dam, including clearing of weed beds, however, there was nothing of significance found.

“The 3.2 million litres of water was then pumped back into the dam, with very little loss of water in the process.”

Police, including major crime and the water operations unit, along with the SES attended the property on Friday.

Gus was last seen playing in sand on his family’s sheep station at about 5pm on September 27.

His disappearance sparked an enormous search effort involving dozens of police, volunteers and rescue teams scouring the surrounding countryside and nearby waterways.

The dam was searched by police divers soon after Gus went missing. Picture: 7News
A skilled tracker and almost 50 Australian Defence Force personnel have been called in for assistance over the course of the search to date.

“Task Force Horizon investigators have concluded assessing data and imagery of the terrain surrounding the homestead that was taken using a drone,” police said.

“Unfortunately, the imagery has not identified any object of significance that has assisted in the search for Gus.

“Further aerial imaging of an area out to 10km from the homestead is still being conducted. This is being done in stages and will take several weeks to complete.”

On October 17, police concluded a four-day ground search for Gus, which followed an initial 10-day search.

The most recent ground search extended to 5.5km from the homestead, police said, which equated to 95 sqkm searched on foot.

“The original search area extended well beyond this with the use of the mounted operations unit and Polair,” police said.

“This area has been estimated at 470 sqkm.

“Police had been hopeful the extensive ground searches would locate Gus or provide evidence of the direction in which Gus may have walked, but this has not been the case.”

Gus’ disappearance sparked a massive, ongoing search effort. Picture: SA Police
Task Force Horizon is conducting multiple lines of inquiry into Gus’ disappearance.

Police have stressed these investigations have not uncovered “any evidence of foul play”.

“The family of Gus have continued to co-operate fully with police and are being supported by a victim contact officer,” police said.

“Further searches of the property will be considered in the future as Task Force Horizon investigations continue.”

Gus was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, boots, a hat and long pants when he went missing.

“Four-year-olds, they drop everything,” Yorke Mid North Superintendent Mark Syrus said in early October.

“The fact we haven’t found a hat or a shoe or something is pretty unusual.”

Gus went missing from his family’s sheep station. Picture: Tim Joy
Gus’s family released a statement through police on September 30, expressing their devastation at the little boy’s disappearance.

“We are devastated by the disappearance of our beloved Gus on Saturday afternoon,” the statement read.

“This has come as a shock to our family and friends, and we are struggling to comprehend what has happened.

“Gus’s absence is felt in all of us, and we miss him more than words can express. Our hearts are aching, and we are holding onto hope that he will be found and returned to us safely.

“We are incredibly grateful to the South Australia Police, emergency services and the many organisations and community members, neighbours and friends who have come together to help find Gus.”