A 50-strong search team comprising Orange Police, the State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service and volunteers took part in the search of bushland in and around Mullion Creek.

The search began at first light yesterday.

Phillip Constable, 51, sustained multiple injuries after his motorcycle collided with a kangaroo in bushland late on Wednesday afternoon.

According to police, he lay all night on a bush track near his damaged bike, unable to move.

Just after 9am yesterday Mr Constable was located by two police officers on Bevan Road about 3km from Ostini Lane.

He was found by Senior Constable Michael Duxbury and Constable Adam Cornish who used jackets to cover him and keep him warm until ambulance officers arrived.

Yesterday Mr Constable’s wife Debbie paid tribute to those who had taken part in the rescue operation.

“We owe everything to the people who took part in the search,” said a grateful Mrs Constable.

“There is no way we would have had enough manpower to search that whole area without the help of everyone involved - they’re wonderful,” she said.

Inspector Owen King of Orange Police said he was first alerted that Mr Constable had not returned home around 8pm on Wednesday when Mrs Constable telephoned Orange Police.

“The SES and Rural Fire Service were told they would be required for a search the next morning and were put on standby,” Insp King said.

Early yesterday morning 16 State Emergency Service personnel gathered at SES headquarters in Orange before proceeding to Mullion Creek to join forces with Orange Police, the Rural Fire Service and residents from the area.

A major search was mounted after an initial search by police proved fruitless.

Sen Const Duxbury said he and Const Cornish were driving slowly along Bevan Road when they spotted Mr Constable.

“He managed a wave to us, but when we got to him we could see he was in a lot of pain,” he said.

Mr Constable was operated on yesterday afternoon and remains in intensive care in Orange Base Hospital.