Father Joins Costa Rica Search for Son
The father of a Melbourne,
Australia university student missing in Costa Rica is to due to join the
search for his son.
RMIT student Brendan Keiran Dobbins, 24, went missing a week ago in the
coastal resort of Tamarindo. Mr Dobbins, who was on an exchange to the
University of Florida, was in Tamarindo with four university friends
from Melbourne.
A local DJ was the last to see him walking on the beach towards his
hotel about 7am on March 4, and authorities fear he may have drowned or
been attacked by robbers.
His father Brian was due to arrive in the Costa Rican capital of San
Jose on Friday afternoon.
Peter Nienaber, one of the four Australians holidaying with the student,
said the consul from the Australian embassy in Mexico, Chris Munn, was
also expected to arrive.
The group will go to Tamarindo to retrace Mr Dobbin's steps with his
father.
Land, sea and air searches have found no trace of him.
The Canadian Embassy in Costa Rica has been working with local
authorities to help coordinate the search, but they have been hampered
by a lack of resources to devote to the task.
Mr Nienaber said the response from the Costa Rican authorities was as
good as could be expected for a third world country.
"We're trying to keep a brave face and stay as positive as we can, not
only for ourselves but for Brendan's family and everyone back home," Mr
Nienaber said from San Jose airport.
"Our fingers are crossed and our prayers go out to Brendan's family for
a good result."
Australian Prime Minister John Howard offered the family his support.
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