The search for 3-year-old William Tyrell has expanded to 3km around his grandmother’s house, the last place the youngster was seen five days ago.
Police are appealing for the community’s help in finding the child, who went missing on Friday September 12 around 10.30am and was last seen playing on the balcony of his grandmother’s house in Kendall on the NSW mid-north coast.
It is believed William, who was wearing his Spider-Man suit at the time he vanished, could have wandered into nearby bushland.
Police Superintendent Paul Fehon said investigators were searching nearby thick scrub, including areas they have already combed.
“Yesterday they covered and recovered the 1.5km area around where William was last seen and today we’ll be expanding that, searching out to 3km,” he said.
“Our investigative teams have been bolstered. We have 30 investigators out there working.
“They will be conducting canvasses of the areas and will be following up on any information that has been provided to us.”
Police say they cannot rule out the possibility William was abducted.
“Those chances of survival diminish rapidly and of course we are very concerned for young William’s welfare,” Superintendent Fehon said.
“We do have grave concerns. To disappear that quickly absolutely bewilders us.”
There are more than 300 people, including police and SES workers, taking part in the search.
Police divers had already scoured dams and waterways in the area while searches were also being conducted on trail bikes and horses.
A police strike force has now been established and is working with the NSW crime squad.
“The search to locate William and his survival is definitely our priority, but we have an open mind and we are broadening our investigation teams,” he said.
Anyone with any information are urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000.
