A large-scale search in Victoria’s alpine region has come to a devastating end as authorities have found the body of missing Poshik Sharma. The 21-year-old has been missing since Thursday afternoon, following an alleged disagreement with friends at a pub. The student’s body was discovered in bushland next to Marysville Road on Monday. Anyone who may be feeling distressed can contact the following organisations for support: SANE Helpline 1800 18 72 63 Lifeline 131 114 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Image: News Corp Australia

The search for a young man who went missing after arguing with his friends at a pub in rural Victoria last week has ended in tragedy, after rescuers found a body believed to be the missing man.

Police said search crews found a body they believe to be missing man Poshik Sharma, a student from Melbourne, about 11am, according to The Age.

The death is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Mr Sharma had reportedly argued with friends and left a pub in rural Victoria before disappearing last Thursday.

Mr Sharma, 21, had not been seen since, and police held grave concerns for his safety as searches entered their fourth day today.

Police today announced they believed the young man may have been trying to hitchhike, after leaving the Marysville pub on Thursday afternoon, and investigators had changed their appeal for information.

“We believe from a witness account that Poshik has attempted to hitchhike away from Marysville back towards Melbourne,” Inspector David Ryan told ABC Radio earlier today.

“He has completely gone off the grid which is completely unusual for a young man,” Inspector Ryan told reporters on Sunday.

Mr Sharma had not spoken to friends or family, used his phone or social media since he disappeared. A dam was earlier drained during the search, and a walking track and bushland searched to try to find him.

Friend Prince Teona said they had not told Mr Sharma’s parents in India their son was missing, preferring to hang on to hope they will find him first.

“We are trying our best so that we find him before they get to know about that one because he is the only son,” he told Nine News.

“Please come back as soon as you can,” his friend Gursharan Singh told 7 News. “We are really missing you.”

— with AAP