Father's hope for missing son

Daintree is regarded as a treacherous area

The search for missing backpacker Louise Saunders in Australia has brought back traumatic memories for a Devon parent.

Fraser Nute's son Daniel vanished in north Queensland in 1997.

Like Louise, who disappeared three days ago while trekking in Mount Tyson, his son was aged 19 and enjoying a year travelling.

But his father says he still hoped to see his son again.

Mr Nute, from Totnes, has never been found after setting off to climb Mount Sorrow in the Daintree National Park - home to crocodile swamps, stinging trees, poisonous snakes and dense vegetation.

But Mr Nute senior remains sure his son will be found alive.

He told BBC News Online: "I would be happy to talk to Louise's mother, but I would not want to give advice.

"Our faith in God has sustained us.

"We believe that God is in control of our lives and Daniel's life.

"And we believe that God has told us we shall see Daniel again."

It was three weeks after Daniel set off that the alarm was raised.

Daniel had told park rangers where he was going, but the rangers failed to notice he had not returned.

'Cold trail'

Finally a youth hostel raised the alarm because he had not collected camping equipment left in his room.

Mr Nute senior flew out to help in the search for his son.

He said: "We knew it was going to be difficult because the trail had gone cold.

"But we go on hoping that Daniel is still alive."