Two missing Australian medical officers, who did not return from a planner bushwalk, were found to be safe. Police said that they were found in the Blue Mountains.

Chatswood doctor Chris Dalton, 57, and Mosman doctor Paul Bates, 58, were found in one of the canyon systems near Mount Wilson. It was around 10 am when the State Emergency Service team was able to voice contact the missing men. The search team apparently required half an hour to reach the medical officers as the area where they were found was surrounded by thick bushland. The area near Du Faurs Creek was difficult to reach, according to police. The families of the missing men were reportedly waiting at the Mount Wilson fire station.

Bates is the chief medical officer for Australia and New Zealand at BUPA Australia. Dalton happens to be a medical director at the same healthcare group. According to the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service CEO, Stephen Leahy, the search team initially heard voices on the ground. He said that paramedics and police officers were on their way to the location as the search team were on stand-by if further help was required, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Police thanked the media as well as volunteer emergency service personnel and members of the public for their support.

Dalton and Bates did not return from the day-long bushwalking on Saturday. Their parked car was later found near the Mount Wilson Rural Fire Service shed. However, the location of the missing men was still unknown. BUPA authorities earlier expressed their concerns regarding the officers who went missing. They said that they had been hugely concerned that the bushwalkers could not come back from the bushwalk. "Our thoughts are with their families, and we are hopeful for their safe return," Ninemsn quoted.

SES volunteers were credited for contacting the missing men even though some earlier reports claimed that it was the helicopter team. Around 40 people went searching for the two medical officers who are reportedly experienced bushwalkers. They did not take any supplies for overnight stays in the bush as they planned it only for a day.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au