Australian man missing in India

drwho · Sep 1st, 2005, 17:35

Family awaits news of backpacker missing in India

Family and friends of a South Australian man missing in northern India are anxiously waiting for news about the 21-year-old's whereabouts.

Consular officials, local police and friends are searching for Mount Gambier man Ryan Chambers, who has been missing in Rishikesh for more than a week.

His father, Mount Gambier RSL executive officer Jock Chambers, has also travelled to the region to help.

Ryan and his Adelaide friend, John Booker, have been backpacking in the country since June.

They were reportedly staying at a spiritual retreat.

Mr Booker's mother, Naomi, is stunned at the disappearance of her son's friend and says it is totally out of character.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says an official from the Australian High Commission in Delhi is working with police.

The official is also organising leaflets and an appeal in local media.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...9/s1451009.htm

seventies'hippy · Sep 1st, 2005, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwho

[b], who has been missing in Rishikesh for more than a week.

[/url]

Whats a week when you're having a good time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

iyou · Sep 1st, 2005, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwho

Mr Booker's mother, Naomi, is stunned at the disappearance of her son's friend and says it is totally out of character.

Of course we hope he's fine, but like seventies'hippy implies, a week is hardly a long time to be missing when you're 21 years old and exploring India.
.
.
.

MeCasa · Sep 1st, 2005, 22:54

It sounds terrible but everybody cares because the dude's got connections.

Don't get me wrong, I hope he's OK or at the very least finished his spiritual business

Shaktipalooza · Sep 1st, 2005, 23:10

he's dead.

ok now seriously. this story is lacking way information than it dispenses. What's up with his buddy John Booker? What's his story? Is he missing too? How often is this 21 year old mamma's boy contacting his parents if they lose track of him for a week the media is alerted?

missing for a week?

aZuRe27 · Sep 3rd, 2005, 18:47

I don't think any of you people know what your talking about, you shouldn't make comments when you don't know the full story. Imagine if it was someone you knew personally. I went to school with both boys and this is definitely out of character for Ryan. Ryan went missing on Wednesday 31st Aug and because he didn't return the next afternoon and had left without his phone and wallet, John became worried as Ryan had not made contact. The guys had already been travelling together around the world for 2 months and were on their last leg of the trip. So on Friday John contacted his parents so they could alert Ryan's parents of his mysterious disappearance. We are still unsure of Ryan's whereabouts and everyone who knows Ryan are very worried and hope for his safe return.

Oh and Shaktipalooza, I don't appreciate your comments.
"He's dead" and "How often is this 21 year old mamma's boy"
What would you do if you were 21 and your best friend went missing in a foreign country??!

Nick-H · Sep 3rd, 2005, 18:52

on general insensitivity, point taken ...I doubt that anyine meant to offend.

The news report pointed to was so sparse that there were no details to find out

Quote:

Ryan went missing on Wednesday 31st Aug and because he didn't return the next afternoon and had left without his phone and wallet, John became worried as Ryan had not made contact.

If the news report had said even this much then I'm sure us guys here would have seen it as serious.

Please keep us informed.

aZuRe27 · Sep 3rd, 2005, 18:58

Here is some more information take from Adelaide Newspaper The Advertiser...

DAD IN MERCY DASH
By SOPHIE ELSWORTH
01sep05

Ryan's friendship with his travelling companion began when they attended the same kindergarten.

They went through high school together before the Booker family moved to Adelaide, but they remained good friends.

Mr Booker phoned his parents, Naomi and Stewart, last Friday to tell them the news.

"I was absolutely stunned when John told us what happened, I could not believe it," Mrs Booker said. "John has remained so level-headed and calm during the whole ordeal.

"It was very unusual for Ryan to wander off like this. It was completely out of the blue.

"John raised the alarm when he had not heard from Ryan by the following afternoon.

"It was just so unusual."

Mrs Booker said the men had been having a fantastic time travelling.

"They have sent some fabulous emails. They just seemed to be having a wonderful time," she said. "We started to think India was a safe place and relax, despite there being so many warnings.

"It is just a relief that Jock is there with John now and they can search for him together."

Mrs Booker said Ryan's mother, Dianne, was remaining "very positive" during the ordeal and her husband had gone to India "to find Ryan and bring him back home".

Ryan was working in Queensland in a holiday resort before the two men went travelling overseas three months ago.

I just pray that both boys return to the country safely.

aZuRe27 · Sep 4th, 2005, 13:37

MISSING: Ryan Chambers was last seen on August 24.

Wanted: Home safe and well

03sep05
THIS is the photograph the family of missing Mt Gambier man Ryan Chambers hopes will solve the mystery of his disappearance in India.

Taken weeks ago in India, it is being used in a media campaign in Rishikesh, where Ryan was last seen. The photo, provided to The Advertiser by the 21-year-old's family, is being used on leaflets distributed to local communities surrounding Rishikesh, 240km northeast of Delhi.

Ryan was reported missing by travelling friend John Booker, 21, on August 24 after disappearing from a commune early that morning.

Ryan's father, Jock, flew to India as soon as he was notified of his son's disappearance.

Consular officials continue to work with local police and other authorities to locate the missing Mt Gambier man.

The Foreign Affairs Department last night had no further updates on the search.

Margaret Buckell's son, Christopher, went to school with Ryan and his travelling companion. She spoke yesterday of the surprise everyone in Mt Gambier was feeling at his disappearance.

"Everyone who knows Ryan loves him," Mrs Buckell said.

"I have known him since he was at play group. We all just want him to come home.

"Ryan saved up the money that he earned to make this trip to India.

"That has been his agenda for quite some time. That's what he wanted to do. His whole focus has been the trip.

"Everyone is just so blown away by it all. It's hard on everyone.

"I want him to come back so he can get want he wants out of life. It's just really hard when you don't know what's happened to him. Everyone just hopes he is OK."

Terry Strickland, the former principal of Tennyson Woods College where Ryan completed his secondary schooling, remembers him well and was shocked to hear he was missing.

He described Ryan as a "top lad" and as a student who had been a "very bright, energetic kid, who got on well with his mates".

"He got on well with everyone. He had a very engaging nature," Mr Strickland said.

http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,16477188%255E2682,00.ht ml

tonylittle · Sep 4th, 2005, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeCasa

It sounds terrible but everybody cares because the dude's got connections.

Don't get me wrong, I hope he's OK or at the very least finished his spiritual business

Dude's or not his Mum@ Dad still love him

Sep 4th, 2005, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by aZuRe27

I don't think any of you people know what your talking about, you shouldn't make comments when you don't know the full story. Imagine if it was someone you knew personally. I went to school with both boys and this is definitely out of character for Ryan. Ryan went missing on Wednesday 31st Aug and because he didn't return the next afternoon and had left without his phone and wallet, John became worried as Ryan had not made contact. The guys had already been travelling together around the world for 2 months and were on their last leg of the trip. So on Friday John contacted his parents so they could alert Ryan's parents of his mysterious disappearance. We are still unsure of Ryan's whereabouts and everyone who knows Ryan are very worried and hope for his safe return.

Oh and Shaktipalooza, I don't appreciate your comments.
"He's dead" and "How often is this 21 year old mamma's boy"
What would you do if you were 21 and your best friend went missing in a foreign country??!

I am apalled. People are just insensitive. I have noticed, sometimes people at IM somehow try to get their two penny worth in. Feelings be damned!

Nick-H · Sep 4th, 2005, 19:44

Yes, I think we have put the collective Indiamike.com foot in it here and I'm very sorry.

MeCasa · Sep 4th, 2005, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prof. Lionel Aranha

I am apalled. People are just insensitive. I have noticed, sometimes people at IM somehow try to get their two penny worth in. Feelings be damned!

The world is a cold place, 1/4 the African continent have HIV, hundreds of thousands of people are dying in Darfur and the Congo, countless Indian children are living on the streets without food and housing.

Excuse me if I don't have 'proper' sensitivity for one rich dude who went into the mountains of his own free will and got lost. If I get lost, I neither expect nor desire tears, but a toast and a good drunk in my memory will be appreciated.

And I have a mums an da too

That said, I really do hope he's OK, if I was there I'd help search, but keep it in context. Would ya'll be posting if a sherpa was lying up there hurt, I don't think so. Is this dude more important?

Nick-H · Sep 4th, 2005, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeCasa

Is this dude more important?

Aren't your friends more important to you?

MeCasa · Sep 4th, 2005, 21:30

I don't even know rhe guy, however I admit I didn't have to make the initial wisecrack.

It wasn't so much insensitivity as a feeling of inequality, when I go climbing I intend to bring a sherpa guide, if he carries 40 pounds, so will I, if I eat a cookie, so will he, if there's only one cookie, we'll each eat half. That's just my personality

But, that doesn't justify my comment as I could have said nothing, I knew I was being a wiseass when I posted. Alright d*mn it, I feel guilty now :-(

Sep 1st, 2005, 17:35	#1
drwho Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 57	Australian man missing in India Family awaits news of backpacker missing in India Family and friends of a South Australian man missing in northern India are anxiously waiting for news about the 21-year-old's whereabouts. Consular officials, local police and friends are searching for Mount Gambier man Ryan Chambers, who has been missing in Rishikesh for more than a week. His father, Mount Gambier RSL executive officer Jock Chambers, has also travelled to the region to help. Ryan and his Adelaide friend, John Booker, have been backpacking in the country since June. They were reportedly staying at a spiritual retreat. Mr Booker's mother, Naomi, is stunned at the disappearance of her son's friend and says it is totally out of character. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says an official from the Australian High Commission in Delhi is working with police. The official is also organising leaflets and an appeal in local media. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...9/s1451009.htm

Sep 1st, 2005, 23:10	#5
Shaktipalooza Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 894	he's dead. ok now seriously. this story is lacking way information than it dispenses. What's up with his buddy John Booker? What's his story? Is he missing too? How often is this 21 year old mamma's boy contacting his parents if they lose track of him for a week the media is alerted? missing for a week? __________________ IndiaGroove - Train finder now in beta! Pics from India 2006 Traditional Indian Dance

Sep 3rd, 2005, 18:47	#6
aZuRe27 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mount Gambier, Australia Posts: 22	Find out the facts before you comment I don't think any of you people know what your talking about, you shouldn't make comments when you don't know the full story. Imagine if it was someone you knew personally. I went to school with both boys and this is definitely out of character for Ryan. Ryan went missing on Wednesday 31st Aug and because he didn't return the next afternoon and had left without his phone and wallet, John became worried as Ryan had not made contact. The guys had already been travelling together around the world for 2 months and were on their last leg of the trip. So on Friday John contacted his parents so they could alert Ryan's parents of his mysterious disappearance. We are still unsure of Ryan's whereabouts and everyone who knows Ryan are very worried and hope for his safe return. Oh and Shaktipalooza, I don't appreciate your comments. "He's dead" and "How often is this 21 year old mamma's boy" What would you do if you were 21 and your best friend went missing in a foreign country??!

Sep 3rd, 2005, 18:58	#8
aZuRe27 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mount Gambier, Australia Posts: 22	More Information Here is some more information take from Adelaide Newspaper The Advertiser... DAD IN MERCY DASH By SOPHIE ELSWORTH 01sep05 Ryan's friendship with his travelling companion began when they attended the same kindergarten. They went through high school together before the Booker family moved to Adelaide, but they remained good friends. Mr Booker phoned his parents, Naomi and Stewart, last Friday to tell them the news. "I was absolutely stunned when John told us what happened, I could not believe it," Mrs Booker said. "John has remained so level-headed and calm during the whole ordeal. "It was very unusual for Ryan to wander off like this. It was completely out of the blue. "John raised the alarm when he had not heard from Ryan by the following afternoon. "It was just so unusual." Mrs Booker said the men had been having a fantastic time travelling. "They have sent some fabulous emails. They just seemed to be having a wonderful time," she said. "We started to think India was a safe place and relax, despite there being so many warnings. "It is just a relief that Jock is there with John now and they can search for him together." Mrs Booker said Ryan's mother, Dianne, was remaining "very positive" during the ordeal and her husband had gone to India "to find Ryan and bring him back home". Ryan was working in Queensland in a holiday resort before the two men went travelling overseas three months ago. I just pray that both boys return to the country safely.

Sep 4th, 2005, 13:37	#9
aZuRe27 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mount Gambier, Australia Posts: 22	MISSING: Ryan Chambers was last seen on August 24. Wanted: Home safe and well 03sep05 THIS is the photograph the family of missing Mt Gambier man Ryan Chambers hopes will solve the mystery of his disappearance in India. Taken weeks ago in India, it is being used in a media campaign in Rishikesh, where Ryan was last seen. The photo, provided to The Advertiser by the 21-year-old's family, is being used on leaflets distributed to local communities surrounding Rishikesh, 240km northeast of Delhi. Ryan was reported missing by travelling friend John Booker, 21, on August 24 after disappearing from a commune early that morning. Ryan's father, Jock, flew to India as soon as he was notified of his son's disappearance. Consular officials continue to work with local police and other authorities to locate the missing Mt Gambier man. The Foreign Affairs Department last night had no further updates on the search. Margaret Buckell's son, Christopher, went to school with Ryan and his travelling companion. She spoke yesterday of the surprise everyone in Mt Gambier was feeling at his disappearance. "Everyone who knows Ryan loves him," Mrs Buckell said. "I have known him since he was at play group. We all just want him to come home. "Ryan saved up the money that he earned to make this trip to India. "That has been his agenda for quite some time. That's what he wanted to do. His whole focus has been the trip. "Everyone is just so blown away by it all. It's hard on everyone. "I want him to come back so he can get want he wants out of life. It's just really hard when you don't know what's happened to him. Everyone just hopes he is OK." Terry Strickland, the former principal of Tennyson Woods College where Ryan completed his secondary schooling, remembers him well and was shocked to hear he was missing. He described Ryan as a "top lad" and as a student who had been a "very bright, energetic kid, who got on well with his mates". "He got on well with everyone. He had a very engaging nature," Mr Strickland said. http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,16477188%255E2682,00.ht ml Attached Thumbnails

Sep 1st, 2005, 22:54	#4
MeCasa Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas/New York Posts: 959	It sounds terrible but everybody cares because the dude's got connections. Don't get me wrong, I hope he's OK or at the very least finished his spiritual business

Sep 4th, 2005, 19:44	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,220	Yes, I think we have put the collective Indiamike.com foot in it here and I'm very sorry.

Sep 4th, 2005, 21:30	#15
MeCasa Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas/New York Posts: 959	I don't even know rhe guy, however I admit I didn't have to make the initial wisecrack. It wasn't so much insensitivity as a feeling of inequality, when I go climbing I intend to bring a sherpa guide, if he carries 40 pounds, so will I, if I eat a cookie, so will he, if there's only one cookie, we'll each eat half. That's just my personality But, that doesn't justify my comment as I could have said nothing, I knew I was being a wiseass when I posted. Alright d*mn it, I feel guilty now :-(

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