A search for a missing Fernhill man will enter a third day this morning when more than 50 police and emergency service workers return to bushland west of Tarrawanna.
The search for 71-year-old Bruce Ludbrook was suspended about 4pm yesterday due to failing light and poor weather.
Mr Ludbrook, who is suffering early onset dementia, was last seen about 4pm on Tuesday walking towards the old Corrimal colliery site.
Missing man found alive on Mt Ousley SLIDESHOW: Police launch search for missing Illawarra manWollongong Chief Inspector Ken McDonald, who yesterday directed a command post from Tarrawanna Football Oval, said police were confident Mr Ludbrook would be found in the area.
"The intelligence with regard to his last sighting was 100 per cent," Chief Insp McDonald said. "We've checked that from a very reliable source who knew him.
"There's no doubt that he's in there and there's no doubt that he's lost."
He said while Mr Ludbrook, a former greyhound walker, was a fit individual accustomed to walking long distances up to three times a day, searchers were uncertain whether he had any bushcraft skills.
Chief Insp McDonald said Mr Ludbrook's disappearance was strikingly similar to that of Tarrawanna man Jim McGrath, who went missing in the same area in August 2006. Hopes for Mr McGrath's safety had all but faded when he was found alive by a neighbour three days later.
The 65-year-old was suffering mild Alzheimer's and was located in bushland just west of his Harrigan St home, suffering mild hypothermia, dehydration and lacerations to his feet and legs.
"This (Mr Ludbrook) is the same thing, he went for a walk and got lost," Chief Insp McDonald said.
"Since he left it fairly late, the darkness might have caught him up. Plus the weather's been terrible."
The PolAir police helicopter had been assisting in the search, but a sighting from the air was difficult due to the thick terrain.
"It's very thick, wet and hard going," Chief Insp McDonald said.
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