Fire and Rescue NSW drone team locates missing hikers using AI technology
Published: 25 Jun 2026 04:10pm
A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew has used a drone, equipped with Artificial Intelligence, to find two hikers, missing in the Snowy Mountains.
The pair was reported overdue on Tuesday night whilst on a hike along the Dead Horse Gap walking track, about 35-kilometres south-west of Jindabyne.
NSW Police formed an Alpine Search and Rescue (SAR) team with the State Emergency Service (SES) and set off in cold conditions to locate the couple, which had failed to return on time to a rendezvous point.
Police requested assistance from FRNSW, which dispatched a Remotely-Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) or drone operator to a command post to commence an aerial grid search.
A drone was activated as darkness set in and quickly located the hikers.
The drone’s A.I. software identified the pair in the bush, and its thermal imaging camera zoomed in to confirm the find.
At the same time, the hikers used a red light on a mobile phone to attract the drone in the dark.
The FRNSW operator activated the drone’s spotlight to direct the ground crew to the location and the couple was guided to safety.
“The training and support provided by FRNSW’s Aviation Unit ensured local firefighters had the skills and equipment to support Police and the SES to effect a successful operation,” FRNSW Commander, John Marzol, said.
“We would urge hikers in the snowfields to notify the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) before their treks and register for free use of Personal Locator Beacons to ensure they don’t get lost in the bush,” Acting Supt Marzol added.
Media note – FRNSW drone footage of the rescue is available here: https://vimeo.com/1204416583/5d53040fa6?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Updated: 25 Jun 2026 4:24pm