There are grave fears for a popular former radio host who has vanished while fishing from the banks of a river in far north Queensland.

Roman Butchaski, who hosted the fishing show on Sydney radio 2GB with Gavin Pitchford and Michael Guest, disappeared in far north Queensland on Sunday.

Emergency services were called to the Olive River at Shelburne after Butchaski, who is in his 60s, failed to return from a fishing trip.

Queensland Police have been searching for Butchaski since late Sunday, but there has been no sign of him.

Police and other searchers on the scene at Olive River on Tuesday. Photo: Queensland Police

On Tuesday, journalist Harry Clarke from Country Caller told 2GB police had found a buggy Butchaski (known as Butch) had used to get to his fishing spot.

“He borrowed a buggy from a friend [and] travelled about an hour to go fishing along the banks of the Olive River. All that they’ve found of Butch is that vehicle and a few personal effects such as a fishing rod that was found on Sunday afternoon, and he hasn’t been seen since,” Clarke said.

“The Olive River is a tidal saltwater river and – like all waterways in that area – they are known crocodile habitats. So that’s certainly one of things search crews are taking into consideration as they look for Butch.”

Pitchford told 2GB that Butchaski has diabetes, prompting fears he may have had an episode – although “he walks the banks up there regularly and has been fishing there forever”.

Queensland Police said on Monday that officers and a rescue helicopter had searched the area on Sunday night and throughout Tuesday.

Additional officers were brought in to assist the search on Tuesday.

Shelburne is less than 100 kilometres from Cape York, and about 600 kilometres north of Cairns.