00:01After a gruelling eight-day search involving more than a thousand people,
00:06Lily Hooper's family received the news they wanted to hear.
00:09But just ten minutes later they were seen hugging one another at the search site
00:13after police then had to confirm the worst.
00:15Their beloved bushwalking teenager had actually been found dead.
00:19New South Wales Premier Chris Minns yesterday told budget estimates
00:23that Miss Hooper had been found alive with half a bottle of water.
00:26The reference to the bottle of water has been confirmed to be a code word that was used during the
00:31search.
00:31Emergency Services Minister Jahad Dib said investigations are now underway
00:35to understand what caused the miscommunication and how it was passed up the chain.
00:40Mr Minns has now committed to examining whether strong protocols were in place
00:44for how government agencies, the family and the media are provided information during search operations.
00:50The Premier today also apologised for his remarks in budget estimates.
00:54New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon was alongside the Premier today.
00:59He said police will continue to work with the family throughout this unimaginable time.
01:03We will continue to work closely with the family.
01:06Obviously this is a really tough time for them.
01:08I want to show them the respect to enable them to grieve in peace.
01:12I certainly understand the questions that are being asked about the miscommunication that occurred yesterday.
01:16I've spoken to the SES Commissioner. Together we will work on protocols with police, with emergency services
01:23to ensure that communication in these circumstances is foolproof.
01:28Ms Hooper's body was found about 9.30am yesterday among the dense terrain,
01:32with crews working into the evening to extricate it and return her to her family.
01:36The massive search operation included crews from the ADF, specialist police on horses and trail bikes
01:43and SES crews who scoured the bush through rainy and cold conditions.
01:47After being busy with activity over the last eight days, the remote location at the Natai National Park
01:53has now been cleared of all the emergency service vehicles that had been stationed there.
01:58So thank you for your time and have the opportunity to back out to your family.
01:58I hope you will be doing a little more on the next day.
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