Tas: Three members of rafting party missing on Franklin River

AAP General News (Australia)
12-27-2001
Tas: Three members of rafting party missing on Franklin River

A search is under way for three people missing since yesterday following a rafting
accident on Tasmania's Franklin River in a wilderness area in the state's south-west.

Police say two members of the party of five scrambled to shore following the mishap
about 4pm yesterday, but three others are unaccounted for.

The two were today found by another rafting party equipped with a satellite phone which
was used to raise the alarm about 3pm.

Tasmania Police Inspector JOHN ARNOLD says recent rain has swollen the waters of the
Franklin River, a popular white-water rafting destination.

The proprietor of Hobart-based Rafting Tasmania, GRAHAM MITCHELL, says he believes the
five involved in the mishap were each in small rafts and not part of an organised tour.

It was two of Mr MITCHELL's boats, each with four clients and a guide, who discovered
the pair from the rafting accident.

He says those in the tour organised by his company have now travelled downstream in
search of the missing rafters.

Inspector ARNOLD says police are interviewing the two members of the rafting party
who made it to shore, a police helicopter is scouring the area and search and rescue officers
are travelling to the scene.

AAP RTV gfr/jas

KEYWORD: RAFT (HOBART)

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