Radio presenter and famous angling expert Roman Butchaski has gone missing while fishing on the banks of a crocodile-infested river in Far North Queensland.
Major air and ground searches have been launched to find the former 2GB star, last seen on Sunday, radio officials announced Tuesday morning.
Rescuers found his vehicle, his fishing rod and some personal effects, but no sign of the experienced fisherman, who is believed to be 70 years old.
“Butch is missing,” 2GB host Ben Fordham revealed.
“He was last seen heading off on a solo fishing trip to the Cape York Peninsula on Sunday afternoon and a major search and rescue operation is currently underway.”
Butchaski left at 8am on Sunday for a fishing expedition towards the Olive River, 600km north of Cairns and 100km south of Bamaga, at the tip of Cape York.
But he has never been seen or heard from since, sparking a major search.
Radio presenter and famous angling expert Roman Butchaski has gone missing while fishing on the banks of a crocodile-infested river in Far North Queensland.
A vast air and land search has been launched for former 2GB star Roman Butchaski, last seen on Sunday, radio bosses announced on Tuesday morning.
“He borrowed a side-by-side buggy from a friend and traveled about an hour to go fishing along the banks of the Olive River,” local reporter Harry Clark told Fordham.
“All they found of Butch was this vehicle with some personal items, like a fishing rod, which was found Sunday afternoon and has not been seen since.
“It’s in Cape York and the Olive River is a tidal saltwater river – and like all waterways in this area, it’s a known habitat for crocodiles.”
“That’s definitely one of the things search teams take into consideration when looking for Butch.”
Butchaski – who hosted 2GB’s fishing show with Gavin Pitchford and Michael Guest – also suffers from diabetes, leading to fears he suffered a medical episode while alone in the bush.
Former co-host Pitchford told Fordham that Butchaksi was a regular on the river, raising hopes he could still show up safely.
He told Fordham: “I’m devastated.
“Butchy regularly walks the banks. He’s been fishing there forever.
The isolated Olive River stretches 70km across the northern reaches of the Australian continent, beginning in the Richardson Range before heading towards the unspoilt coast.
The green-tinged water meanders through 43 km² of uninhabited, crocodile-infested estuarine wetlands before crossing pristine white sand to reach the Coral Sea at Temple Bay.
Police said the area was particularly difficult to search due to the density of the bush, and the threat of crocodile attacks on rescue teams was also a concern.
“It’s certainly a risk to all of our searchers and emergency services,” said Senior Sergeant Duane Amos.
“That’s something search and rescue coordinators would take into consideration.”
Roman Butchaski left at 8 a.m. on Sunday for a fishing expedition, heading for the Olive Rover, 600 km north of Cairns and 100 km south of Bamaga, at the tip of Cape York.
He added: “(Butchaski) had gone fishing there. He had been to this place before.
“When he didn’t return by last light, that’s when the first search was launched by family and friends.
“The preliminary search made it possible to locate the vehicle with which the gentleman had gone to the scene.”
Fordham said the thoughts and prayers of everyone at the radio station were with Butchaksi and his family as the search continued.
He added: “Obviously we think of everyone who knew and Butch and we hope he’s out there somewhere.”
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