A body was found during the search for a missing man in the Blue Mountains

KATOOMBA, Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia – In a tragic turn of events, police searching for a 78-year-old man who went missing in the Blue Mountains have discovered the body.

The elderly man was last seen in Leura at around 8.30am on Friday. As he could not be contacted or located, his disappearance was reported to officers from the Blue Mountains Police Area Command, who immediately launched an investigation into his whereabouts.

According to initial investigations, the man’s vehicle was found near Wentworth Falls Lake.

Authorities launched a comprehensive land and air search with the support of Police Rescue, PolAir, the dog squad and SES crews.

The body of a man was discovered in the area at around 4:30am on Saturday morning. Although official identification has not yet been made, police believe the body is that of the missing man, New South Wales Police said in a statement released later on Saturday.

Preliminary investigations indicate that this is not a suspicious death. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

(File photo).