“The miscommunication obviously went through policing commands and up to government and has been reported widely,” he said.

“It goes through a range of police commands to the minister for police and then to the premier’s office.”

Lanyon “unashamedly” apologised to Hooper’s family for the miscommunication, which he attributed to the relief of on-the-ground search teams.

“But certainly for the embarrassment and confusion that caused the miscommunication, obviously [it] was born out of elation that Lily had been found.

“And certainly those at the command posts relayed, tragically, that miscommunication then led to a deflation, and obviously we know now an impact on her family.”

A police source told news.com.au the incorrect information had been passed on by search teams and relayed to central authorities.

“Someone said she was alive and we relayed it. If people are going to throw blame, it’s a shame. This is a horrible tragedy that everyone across all agencies is devastated about.”

A SES source said search teams were trained to use code words at the scene to avoid causing distress to loved ones.

“It tends to be agreed at a search between cops, who are the lead, and the searchers, that terminology is used so as not to distress anyone who might be in earshot,” he said.

“It could be a full bottle, meaning someone is alive, or a bottle found intact, or a half-full bottle or an empty bottle meaning someone is deceased.”

In his initial comments, Minns said Hooper had been found alive with “half a bottle of water”.

Minutes later, he said the earlier advice was wrong and announced that Hooper had been found deceased.

“I apologise to the committee, but it seems as if the early advice was wrong, and Lily’s body’s been found, and she’s been found deceased.

“This is obviously devastating and I’m just profoundly sad for a family and for all those concerned.”