The search for a boy who disappeared into the bush on his family’s sheep station three days ago has ramped up.
August, who is often called Gus, was last spotted playing in the sand close to the family’s home located about 40km south of Yunta in South Australia’s mid-north around 5pm on Saturday.
His family is hopeful that the outfit he was wearing at the time – a grey wide-brimmed hat, a blue long-sleeved shirt featuring a Minion image, light grey pants, and boots – will provide some protection against the elements.
Superintendent Mark Syrus, officer in charge of the Yorke and Mid North region, said recent weather would have been ‘uncomfortable’ for Gus.
‘He was dressed well for sun conditions and we are hoping that served him well over those cold nights as well,’ he said.
Police have thrown everything at the search for the young boy including specialist divers to check water tanks and dams, infrared cameras and drones.
Locals have also joined the search on motorbikes.
However, the sheer size of the 6,000-hectare sheep grazing property has left searchers stumped.
August, nicknamed Gus, went missing from a property (pictured) south of Yunta on Saturday
‘As you can see, it’s pretty low-lying, undulating countryside,’ Supt Syrus said.
‘There’s some bluebush around, which you might expect to be fairly visible, but given the vastness of this property, it is quite expansive.
‘That’s why we’ve put as many resources as we possibly can into finding young Gus.’
Weatherzone senior meteorologist Brett Dutschke told Daily Mail conditions are expected to cool in the coming days.
‘Today it’ll be a bit windy. It’s pretty cool right now, about 14C, and there’s a fairly chilly wind,’ he said on Tuesday morning.
‘It’ll warm up to 22C and tomorrow won’t be quite as windy but the morning will be chilly at about 5C or 6C near sunrise.’
Mr Dutschke added the most important thing for Gus is to stay out of the wind, possibly by copying the sheep.
‘That wind will make it feel even colder than the minimum temperature,’ he said.
Police divers have searched dams on the property (pictured) but Gus wasn’t known to gravitate to water
‘There’s a lot of saltbush in the area that can give shelter. Hopefully he curls up in that, just like sheep do.’
Roughly 3,000 sheep roam the property, which is also full of goats, kangaroos and wallabies.
Australia is also in the midst of snake season with Eastern Brown Snakes known to inhabit the area.
Most dams on the property are dried up and Gus was not known to gravitate towards them.
South Australia Police have not released photos of Gus as per his family’s wishes.
Police do not believe Gus has been taken by anyone as the ‘only people who would travel on this road are station owners’.
Supt Syrus said it was ‘unusual’ for Gus to wander as he ‘normally stays within the confines of the area’.
‘But, who knows what goes through a four-year-old’s mind?’ he said.
August, aged four, was last seen playing in sand near the property homestead (pictured, Yunta surrounds)
‘We understand he’s a pretty quiet sort of lad but he is, as you know, a country lad and he’s pretty adventurous as well.
‘But him moving out of the area is a little bit unusual.’
Anyone with information that may assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
