Sydney 2GB radio host Roman Butchaski suddenly disappears near crocodile-infested waters in far north Queensland
Radio presenter and renowned fishing expert Roman Butchaski has disappeared while fishing from the banks of a crocodile-infested river in far north Queensland.
A major air and land search has been launched for the former 2GB star who was last seen on Sunday, radio station bosses said on Tuesday morning.
Rescue crews traced his vehicle, his fishing rod and some personal belongings, but no sign of the veteran fisherman.
“Butch is missing,” 2GB presenter Ben Fordham revealed.
‘He was last seen on Sunday afternoon whilst on a solo fishing trip on the Cape York Peninsula and a major search and rescue operation is now underway.’
Butchaski set off on a fishing expedition at 8am on Sunday, bound for 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, prompting the great search.
Radio presenter and renowned fishing expert Roman Butchaski has disappeared while fishing from the banks of a crocodile-infested river in far north Queensland
A major air and land search has been launched for former 2GB star Roman Butchaski, who was last seen on Sunday, radio station bosses said 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.
“The only thing they found of Butch is that vehicle with a few personal belongings, such as a fishing rod, which was found Sunday afternoon and hasn’t been seen since.
‘It is on Cape York and the Olive River is a tidal river with salt water – and like all waterways in that area they are known to be crocodile habitat.
“That’s certainly one of the things search crews keep in mind as they look for Butch.”
Butchaski also suffers from diabetes, raising fears he suffered a medical episode while alone in the bush.
Another friend, Gavin Pitchford, said Fordham Butchaksi was a regular on the river, giving hope that he might yet emerge safely.
He told Fordham: “I’m devastated.
‘Butchy regularly walks along the banks there. He’s been fishing there forever.”
Roman Butchaski set out on a fishing expedition at 8am on Sunday, bound for the Olive Rover, 600km north of Cairns and 100km south of Bamaga on the tip of Cape York
The remote Olive River runs for 70 kilometers at the top of Australia’s northern mainland, starting in the Richardson Range before heading towards the pristine coast.
The green-hued water meanders through 43 square kilometers of uninhabited, crocodile-infested estuarine wetlands before crossing pristine white sands to meet the Coral Sea at Temple Bay.
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’re thinking of everyone who knew and Butch, and we hope he’s out there somewhere.”
More to come