Move FM Regional news

CENTRAL WEST, NSW, Australia – A search is underway for a man last seen in Orange and Bathurst on Monday.

Police are appealing for public assistance in locating the man who has a serious medical condition that requires ongoing treatment. Anyone sighting him however is urged not to approach him.

The man is understood to be a patient at a mental health facility at Bloomfield Hospital in Orange, which is managed by NSW Health.

“NSW Health cannot discuss the specific circumstances for a patient who has appeared before the Mental Health Review Tribunal due to the requirements under the Mental Health Act 2007,” a spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Western NSW Local Health District will continue to work with NSW Police to locate and detain the patient and will take police advice on how the patient’s personal safety and the safety of the wider community can be protected.”

Michael Striker, aged 48, was last seen leaving a store on Peisley Street, Orange, about 10.30am on Monday.

An hour later, around 11:30am Monday, he was sighted in the Bathurst area.

Mr Striker is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 178cm tall, of thin build, with short brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a grey sweater, black leather jacket, blue jeans and black shoes.

He previously went under the name of Michael Sorell, who was alleged to have murdered 45-year-old Michael Furlong, of Kensington, in Sydney in 2002. The presiding judge in his case found he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and was therefore not guilty by reason of mental illness.

Police say they are concerned for the welfare of Mr Striker and are urging anyone who sees him not to approach him, but instead to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.