The mother of a young autistic man missing for days in rugged terrain north west of Brisbane has spoken of her terror for her son, who was more like an ‘eight-year-old child’ and was likely afraid and confused.
Susanne Bedey has joined community members, SES, and police traversing land near Proston, about 30km west of Murgon, chasing up leads on the 28-year-old Luke Fergusson since his disappearance on Friday, June 9.
His last sighting on the day was about midday, at the family’s Abbeywood Rd address at Proston.
Police, including helicopters, SES and family, friends and community members have been scouring the area since.
The search moved about 4km southeast to a property near Wondai Proston Rd on Tuesday, after Ms Bedey said the property owner reported seeing Luke about 8.40am Sunday.
Police, SES, family, friends and the community are still searching for missing South Burnett man Luke Fergusson, who disappeared on Friday, June 9, 2023. Luke’s mother Susanne Bedey said a farmer about 4km southeast of where Luke disappeared reported seeing the 28-year-old on the morning of Sunday, June 11.
Ms Bedey, who has not let a broken wrist deter her from joining the horseback search for her son, said footprints believed to be Luke’s had been found during their efforts.
“We believe that he’s staying in the area,” Ms Bedey said.
She believed Luke, who is autistic and was much like “an eight-year-old child”, was “lost” and “confused” as he and his family had not been living in the region for long.
They had moved from Rockhampton “to have a bit of peace and quiet”.
She said Luke was the type of person who always wanted to please people and loved his Matchbox cars.
“He has a bit of an infatuation with the Australian Federal Police, and police forces around the world,” Ms Bedey said.
“Luke will tell you he’s a member of the AFP. Which he isn’t.”
Susanne Bedey has been searching on horseback for her missing son Luke Fergusson following his disappearance on Friday June 9, 2023.
The belief he was “really confused and more than likely scared he’s done the wrong thing”.
She was concerned Luke might try to avoid approaching people he did not know, adding to the difficulties of the search.
The territory they were searching was a concern, too.
Ms Bedey said they were hunting across “800 acres (323ha) easily” from “one corner to the other”.
The land was littered with sheds and old houses he might be in, she said, as well as waterholes, rocks and bushland.
The mother of missing South Burnett region man Luke Fergusson says they are scouring an area of about 323ha in their search for him.
She said she was “terror-struck” at the thought Luke may have entered the rougher terrain.
She was one of about eight people searching the land on horseback, but it was a challenge.
“We realistically need more because the country is so tough,” Ms Bedey said.
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Luke is described by police as Caucasian with a proportionate build and about 175cm high.
He has brown hair and brown eyes and was wearing a black hoodie.
She was grateful to those who had joined the search, saying “there isn’t word a word I can use to thank the people that have helped”, but “we need more”.
Ms Bedey said Luke “isn’t a danger to anyone” and urged anyone who may have seen him to please call 000.
“This is getting way too long,” she said.