POLICE believe missing Australian soldier and Canberra man Paul McKay could survive the freezing conditions in New York state due to his military training and the clothing worn when he was last seen almost a fortnight ago.
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Forest rangers and members of a state police special operations response team have continued the search for Captain Paul John McKay, a member of the Australian Army who police said suffered a post-traumatic stress disorder.
The 31-year-old was last spotted on December 31 walking in the rugged north of the state, where nearby village Saranac Lake has average January daily lows of minus 16 degrees.
Saranac Lake police chief Bruce Nason said the winter weather clothing Captain McKay was last seen in was an encouraging sign.
''This coupled with his military training and physical fitness make it likely that he is well-prepared to survive in winter conditions,'' Chief Nason said.
''[Police] continue to receive information daily from the public regarding missing person Paul McKay.''
Newly released images show Captain McKay, an Afghanistan veteran, at an Albany bus terminal on December 30. From there he reportedly travelled to Saranac Lake and that night emailed his father from a Best Western inn to say he was leaving him all his possessions.
The Adirondack Daily Enterprise previously reported that the email to his father, John McKay, was the family's last communication with their son.
''In this email … he shared some financial information and some other information that would lead us to believe he didn't plan on going back,'' Chief Nason said.
Forest rangers and police conducted a grid search on Friday, with a wider search effort including certified volunteers and two canine teams set to begin on Saturday, US time.
Captain McKay's LinkedIn page reportedly said, after earlier overseas service, he spent 10 months in Afghanistan until January 2012.
It said he was a battle captain on shift at Sorkh Bed Forward Operating Base in October 2011 when an Afghan soldier opened fire on a group of 10 Australian soldiers, killing three and an interpreter, and seriously injuring seven other Australian troops.
The LinkedIn profile has now been removed.
A Defence spokesman confirmed on Friday that it was Captain McKay who had been reported missing in Saranac Lake.
