Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Concerns for 62-year-old woman Beryl Collins, reported missing in Alice Springs

Two police officers on motorbikes scoured an 11-kilometre stretch of road west of Alice Springs in search of Beryl Collins on Thursday morning. (ABC Alice Springs: Saskia Mabin)

Police say they are concerned for the welfare of a 62-year-old Aboriginal woman who hasn't been seen by family in Central Australia for more than three weeks.  

When Beryl Collins was reported missing on April 4, police believed she had not been seen by family for five weeks. 

After further investigations, police determined Ms Collins was last seen walking near the Albrecht and Larapinta Drive intersection between 6.30 and 7am on March 14. 

Police said she had been at a house on Holtermann Court the night before where there had been a verbal argument involving members of her family. 

Senior Sergeant Michael Potts said the argument had made Ms Collins upset.

Beryl Collins, 62, has not been seen by family members for 24 days.

Ms Collins was last seen wearing a grey-coloured skirt, a dark-coloured top and carrying a black backpack, which police believe was filled with groceries. 

Senior Sergeant Potts said police were "gravely concerned" for Ms Collins' welfare because she has numerous underlying health conditions, some of which require medication. 

He said Ms Collins may also have dementia. 

"She may get confused (and) wander off into bushland," Senior Sergeant Potts said. 

Search continuing

On Thursday morning, two police officers on motorbikes searched an 11-kilometre stretch of road from Alice Springs to the Simpsons Gap turn-off on Larapinta Drive. 

Senior Sergeant Potts says police are "gravely concerned" for Beryl Collins' welfare. (ABC Alice Springs: Eliza Goetze )

Senior Sergeant Potts said the land search would be extended to the southern side of Larapinta Drive and into bushland over the next couple of days. 

He said police would consider an air search as the investigation progressed. 

Senior Sergeant Potts said police were considering numerous possibilities including that Ms Collins could have wandered into bushland or been picked up and taken to a remote community.

He said police had investigated reported sightings of Ms Collins in Alice Springs and determined that those sightings were actually of her sister. 

"That's not to say that Beryl isn't still here in Alice Springs... that's one scenario we are looking at at the moment." 

Police have urged members of the public to assist them with their search.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.