Family of missing boy Gus, 4, break their silence after he wandered off into South Australia's remote Outback wearing his 'minions' t-shirt
- Gus, 4, missing since Saturday
- Last seen at family home in regional SA
- READ MORE: Fears grow for boy who disappeared without a trace in SA
The family of a child who has been missing in Outback South Australia since Saturday, said they are struggling to comprehend how he has vanished.
Gus, aged four, was last seen playing at his family's hometead, 40 kilometres south of Yunta, which is 275 kilometres north-east of Adelaide.
Gus was last seen wearing a grey sun hat, cobalt blue t-shirt featuring a yellow Minion, light grey long pants, and boots. He has long, curly blonde hair.
The property is a 60sq km sheep homestead, surrounded by scrub.
SA Police searched the region on Saturday night with the assistance of PolAir, also using an infra-red camera but were not able to locate the little boy.
Since then, Police conducted extensive ground searches with assistance of SES volunteers, using trailbikes, ATVs, dogs and a drone, while PolAir has continued aerial searches.
Water Operations Police and Mounted Operations Unit on Monday joined the search, looking at dams and tanks on the property in an effort to assist in the ground search.
Gus' family on Tuesday spoke out about his disappearance.
Gus was last seen wearing a long blue sleeved shirt, with a Minion on the front (pictured)
Gus was last seen playing at his family's home, 40 kilometres south of Yunta in regional SA
'We are devastated by the disappearance of our beloved Gus on Saturday afternoon. This has come as a shock to our family and friends, and we are struggling to comprehend what has happened,' they said.
Gus' absence is felt in all of us, and we miss him more than words can express. Our hearts are aching, and we are holding onto hope that he will be found and returned to us safely.
The family thanked SA Police and those assisting in the search effort.
'We are incredibly grateful to the South Australia Police, emergency services and the many organisations and community members, neighbours and friends who have come together to help find Gus.'
The family has asked for their privacy.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the search for missing four-year-old Gus will continue until he's located.
'Our intention at the moment is to continue searching until we find Gus,' he said on Tuesday.
'And we are hopeful that will be soon.'
A family member emotionally addressed the media on Tuesday saying they were determined to find the boy
Water Operations Police on Tuesday began searching in nearby dams, to find Gus (pictured)
Gus went missing on a 60-square-kilometre property, surrounded by dense scrub (pictured)
More than 100 personnel, including police, emergency services, and volunteers, are scouring the area using drones, helicopters, and aircraft.
'We're still hopeful that we're going to have success,' Stevens said.
Police so far have said there is no evidence of foul play in relation to Gus' disappearance, which is why they are yet to release a photo of him.
'It is not the type of place people will be driving through, so the likelihood of a stranger being in the vicinity is negligible,' Stevens said.
'We believe Gus is on the property at this stage, so there is no value, there is no purpose, in releasing a photo of Gus.
'Everyone who is searching for him knows they're looking for a four-year-old boy.'
Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000 and quote reference #250513.
