Desperate search for James, 3, missing in thick WA bushland

A frantic search for a three-year-old boy who went missing while playing with dogs outside a holiday house in dense bushland in Western Australias south is set to continue through the night, with police vowing it will go as long as it takes to find him.The O’Reilly family travelled about 250km from Perth on Friday to stay at the property in the picturesque surfing town of Yallingup and last saw young James with the pets in the front yard of the Karli Rise property at about 7.30am on Saturday.
The boy’s mother came out to check on him and couldn’t find him after a thorough search of the area, but the dogs were there.
A large team of police officers from nearby towns, sniffer dogs and SES volunteers combed the area in “appalling” weather, South West District Office Inspector Martin Voyez said, with heavy rain followed by hail.
A police helicopter conducted an aerial search and the WA Police mounted section was also sent from Perth.
Locals turned up in droves to help, but police were concerned they would trample clues, specifically prints left by James’ wellington boots.
Insp Voyez told reporters just after 4pm the child remained missing.
“We’re yet to find him but we will continue throughout the evening and into the night, and as long as it takes to find little Jimmy,” he said.
“We will continue to search for little Jimmy until he is found.
“The family, naturally, are devastated.
“They have all the support they need and are at this time being comforted by police and others including friends and other family members who have travelled down from Perth to be with them.”
Police have urged members of the public not to attend but those already on site should register their attendance at an incident command post at the DFES SES building on Caves Road, and stick to the main tracks and roads.
One of the citizen searchers, Vangy Baker, posted video on social media showing the perilous terrain.
“Holes and cars buried in pits, heaps of dangerous places that he could have wandered off to on an adventure,” she said.
James is fair skinned with blonde hair and blue eyes, and is wearing white Spiderman pyjamas.
Anyone who sees the boy is asked to remain with him and call police immediately on 000.
Set in the Margaret River region, Yallingup is a known for its beaches, wineries and limestone caves.
The holiday house is about 1.5km from the coast.