Search for Shepparton teenager at Lake Mulwala enters fifth day

By Anna McGuinness

Dec 15, 2022

Police searching for a teenager missing on Lake Mulwala on Monday. The teenager fell into the water just after 9am on Sunday. Photo: Jared Loughnan Photo by Jared Loughnan

The search for a missing Shepparton teenager at Lake Mulwala continued on Thursday, December 15, after he was thrown from a tinny while fishing with a friend five days ago.

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Police and emergency services have been searching for 16-year-old Jack Bird since the morning of Sunday, December 11, after reports two boys were hit by a wave and fell overboard.

Two men who saw them in the water swam to their aid and pulled one of the boys to shore, but when they returned they couldn’t find the second teenager.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said weather conditions on Thursday meant officers were without underwater dive capacity.

“At this stage the search involves boat crew, mapping and aerial searches,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

Victoria Police had led the large-scale, multi-agency search since Sunday but handed over to its NSW counterpart on Wednesday, with a NSW Police Force spokesperson confirming the search was continuing.

At a press conference on Monday, Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Nathan Ractliffe said the search centred about 100 metres north of the Silverwoods, Sebel Yarrawonga resort.

He said the boy who had been rescued was being supported by family and his “strong community network”, and was assisting police with their ongoing investigation.

Sen Sgt Ratcliffe asked the public using the lake to stay well away from the search operation and if they had any information relating to the missing teenager to contact 000 immediately, and remain where they were until police arrived.