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Posted: 2024-08-24 06:40:26

West Australian police say a man who spent four nights missing in the remote Kimberley outback trekked more than 30 kilometres in harsh conditions and searing heat before being found.

Nigel Graeme Buck was found by police on the outskirts of Yungngora Community, about 100 kilometres south-west of Fitzroy Crossing, around 6.30am on Saturday.

The 41-year-old became lost after leaving his community home around 11pm on August 20.

A man in a fishing shirt looks at the camera

Mr Buck was found on Saturday and has since been flown to Broome Regional Hospital for medical checks. (Supplied: WA Police)

WA police said they believed Mr Buck had walked for more than 30 kilometres before attempting to return home.

Kimberley Police superintendent Steve Thompson said Mr Buck was dehydrated but doing well.

"He's hungry, he's tired, but he's now in the care of medical professionals," he said.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service flew Mr Buck to Broome hospital for further medical checks around noon on Saturday.

Helicopter in distance with police car in foreground

WA Police contracted a helicopter to help search for the missing 41-year-old. (Supplied: WA Police)

Superintendent Thompson said the entire community and search crews were relieved to find Mr Buck, given the challenging topography and complex conditions. 

"I do share the relief with the family and community," he said.

"There is the river, there is overhanging canopy which makes search difficult, there's rough ground, there's remote tracks ... really challenging and really difficult."

Aerial view showing riverbed and trees in a vast landscape

Aerial vision from the search for Mr Buck, who went missing from his home in the remote Yungngora Community, near Fitzroy Crossing. (Supplied: WA Police)

Maximum temperatures in nearby Fitzroy Crossing peaked at 38.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

WA Police said it was still too early to tell whether Mr Buck had found any food or water during the three-day ordeal.

"He was relieved once we got him, very relieved to be back with his family," Superintendent Thompson said.

"We will speak to him and we'll see how he got on, and how he came to be out there."

The extensive police search included the deployment of officers from four Kimberley towns, the use of a drone, a helicopter, State Emergency Service personnel, specialist search and rescue police staff, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger plane.

WA Police Minister Paul Papalia said finding Mr Buck alive was "brilliant news".

"They [police] threw a lot at this," he said.

Close up of police officer wearing hat

Superintendent Thompson says he is relieved Mr Buck was found safe and well.  (ABC Kimberley: Esse Deves)

"They had jet aircraft, they had drones and police from across the West Kimberley. It's fantastic to see a good outcome."

Superintendent Thompson specifically praised the officers at Looma Police station who remained at the search site since Mr Buck's family first reported him missing.

"They wanted to stay with family and see this through," he said.

"That just shows the connection that our police have with those remote communities."

A group of 20 people including police in uniform and community members in front of emergency vehicles

Emergency services, family and community members worked together in the successful search for Mr Buck. (Supplied: WA Police)

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