Over the course of twelve days, Lovisa Sjoberg went missing in the alpine terrain near Kiandra, prompting a massive search effort involving police horses, the dog unit, trail bikes, four-wheel drives, locals, and even a Surf Life Saving helicopter. A dedicated Facebook page was set up to aid in the search, with almost 1000 contributors joining in. Despite the extensive search efforts, Sjoberg remained missing for almost a full week until a Parks and Wildlife service officer spotted her on the Nungar Creek Trail. She was found dehydrated and injured, and paramedics treated her for exposure and a suspected snakebite before taking her to Cooma District Hospital in a stable condition.
Local community member Mal Bruce, who set up the Facebook page, described the moment Sjoberg was found as the “best Sunday ever.” He believed that the creation of the Facebook group may have contributed to her being located. Community members posted on the group that Sjoberg was known as a gifted photographer and was involved in the region’s pro-brumby advocacy groups. Inspector Woods, a police officer involved in the search, revealed that search teams focused on areas where brumbies congregate, as they believed Sjoberg may have been tracking them.
Lovisa Sjoberg, a photographer from Crackenback near Jindabyne, had her work featured in the 2020 Walkley Foundation’s digital photojournalism exhibition on Black Summer and was a semi-finalist in the 2021 Head On Landscape Award. Her talent and involvement in the community made her well-known and loved among those who knew her. The search and rescue effort organized by the local community, police, and emergency services demonstrated the power of collaboration and community support in times of crisis.
The exhaustive search for Sjoberg involved various resources and individuals coming together to comb through the challenging terrain of the Kosciuszko National Park. Local residents, police forces, trail bikes, four-wheel drives, and a Surf Life Saving helicopter all played a crucial role in the search efforts. The creation of a Facebook page dedicated to finding Sjoberg helped rally support from the community and attracted nearly 1000 contributors who were eager to assist in locating her.
After twelve days of being missing, Sjoberg was finally spotted by a Parks and Wildlife service officer on the Nungar Creek Trail. She was found dehydrated and injured, prompting paramedics to treat her at the scene for exposure and a suspected snakebite before transporting her to Cooma District Hospital for further care. The successful rescue mission was a testament to the dedication and perseverance of all those involved in the search effort, as well as the support and unity of the local community in rallying around one of their own in a time of need.
The discovery of Sjoberg on the Nungar Creek Trail brought immense relief and joy to the local community, especially to those who knew her personally. The efforts of individuals like Mal Bruce, who set up the Facebook group, and Inspector Woods, who led the search teams, were instrumental in ensuring that Sjoberg was found and brought to safety. The incident highlighted the importance of community solidarity and collaboration in times of crisis, showcasing the powerful impact of individuals and organizations coming together for a common goal.
Overall, the successful rescue of Lovisa Sjoberg from the treacherous alpine terrain near Kiandra was a testament to the unwavering determination and unity of the local community and emergency services. The combined efforts of police horses, the dog unit, trail bikes, four-wheel drives, locals, and a Surf Life Saving helicopter, as well as the support from a dedicated Facebook group, played a crucial role in locating Sjoberg after almost two weeks of being missing. The incident underscored the significance of community support and collaboration in times of adversity, showcasing the resilience and strength of individuals uniting for a common purpose.
