11:36am Thursday 9th July 2009
By Tom Johnson
FEARS are mounting for a Muswell Hill teenager who has gone missing while backpacking in Australia.
Jamie Neale, 19, was last seen leaving a youth hostel in the Blue Mountains, in New South Wales, last Friday.
The alarm was raised on Monday when hostel staff found belongings, including his mobile phone and personal documents, left in his room.
From evidence found on the mobile phone, Blue Mountain Police believe Mr Neale was planning a mountain hike.
He was wearing a day-pack when he was last seen.
He had booked and paid for a tour of a network of caves for the Saturday, but did not turn up.
A police rescue squad, the fire service and a police dog squad were involved in a ground search on Wednesday, but weather conditions hampered an aerial search.
Police are keen to speak to Canadian backpacker Mathew Cayes who was spotted talking to Mr Neale shortly before he disappeared, and who they believe may have vital clues as to his plans.
Richard Cass, the father of the missing teenager, is believed to have flown out to Australia on Wednesday.
Mr Neale studied at Alexandra Park School in Bidwell Gardens, Muswell Hill, and dozens of his friends and fellow students have joined a Facebook page and are hoping for his safe return.
Khushbu Kamdar, 19, who was in his form at Alexandra Park, said Mr Neale is "very clever" and "loved" by students and staff at the school.
She said: "We're all finding this so surreal - it's Jamie Neale. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.
"We all know if anyone is capable of the survival skills he will need, it's Jamie.
"We feel so helpless and we just want him back."
Mr Neale completed his A levels at the school in 2008 before working there as a maths and science technician for a year.
Headteacher Michael McKenzie said he had been saving up for his trip to Australia throughout the year.
Mr McKenzie said: “We knew him as a student and as a colleague. Staff describe him as a resourceful guy and capable of looking after himself.
“Our thoughts are with the family and we are all hoping for a safe return.”
The Blue Mountains is listed as a World Heritage site for its wealth of plants and animals and dramatic landscapes.
Hundreds of hikes, or bushwalks, are available through the mountains for people with varying degrees of skill and fitness, but the terrain can be dangerous.
Police are concerned that Mr Neale has now been missing for six days at the peak of the Australian winter.
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