‘Massive’ operation had been launched after pair separated from their group while snowboarding

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A man and his 10-year old-daughter who were missing in dangerous conditions at the Thredbo snowfields in New South Wales have been found safe, according to emergency services.

NSW police said they had located the pair at 5pm on Monday evening, after they had been separated from their group at 3pm, sparking a huge rescue effort.

A spokeswoman said officers were on the ground with the family, who went missing in difficult terrain and deep snow. NSW police said they were “safe and well”.

The pair were separated from their group while snowboarding and the father called triple zero at 3.08pm, telling operators they were in deep snow and his phone battery was low.

Superintendent Jordan Emery from NSW ambulance told the Sydney radio station 2GB earlier in the afternoon there had been heavy snowfall.

He said “a massive effort” between police, Fire and Rescue NSW and Ambulance NSW had been mobilised to rescue the pair.

“There’s been a huge dump of snow this afternoon, which is making it challenging,” he said at the time. “Our hearts are in our mouths.”

On Monday afternoon a NSW police spokeswoman said they had encountered other snowboarders, who called police.