Aussie surfer mystery: ‘Bodies found in van’

Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman have not been in contact with family or friends in more than a week. Picture: Facebook/AAP

THE families of two WA surfers missing in Mexico fear a “tragic event has occurred” following reports of bodies found in a burnt out van in the country’s north.

There had no been no contact from Golden Bay men Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman for more than a week when family members yesterday received news of “distressing developments” surrounding the missing pair.

Those close to the adventurous surfers were informed the blue and white camper van they were travelling in had been found and a “tragic event” had occurred.

Dean Lucas, feared missing in Mexico. Picture: FacebookSource:Supplied

Adam Coleman, feared missing in Mexico.Source:AAP

The development comes amid reports from local Mexican media that two bodies had been found in a van in Navolato, one of the most dangerous areas in the country.

Family members and the men’s partners will travel to Mexico this week.

Mr Lucas’ girlfriend Josie Cox published a Facebook post from an airport saying she was “on my way to get some answers”.

Ms Cox, who has also posted of the couple’s plans to marry, had posted many appeals for help to find her partner and his mate when they hadn’t been heard from in a few days.

She said it was “so out of character” for him not to call.

A social media appeal was launched this week to help find the pair, including posts translated into Spanish and circulated in the Mexican surfing community. Photo: FacebookSource:Supplied

Ms Cox posted on Facebook that the men had “solid plans and reservations” to be at Guadalajara by November 21, but never arrived.

“They are very keen and confident surfers from Australia and may have gone in search of waves in remote villages close by,” she wrote on Friday.

The pair’s last confirmed sighting was when they got off a ferry at Topolobampo, on the Gulf of California, on November 20 at 10pm.

Dean Lucas.Source:Supplied

Adam Coleman.Source:Supplied

The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the families and issued a statement on their behalf on Sunday, saying they were aware the van had been found and a “tragic event” had occurred.

“The families hold deep fears for the safety of their sons, but stress that they are still waiting for details to be confirmed,” a statement from the department said.

A social media campaign has been launched to try to find the men, with concerned friends using #FindDeanandAdam to share images of the pair.

The men were driving a blue and white campervan with Canadian registration plates.