Missing DOC staff member named

Police are releasing the name of the Department of Conservation staff member missing after a volcanic eruption on Raoul Island on Friday (17 March) morning.



The missing man is:



Mark James Kearney, aged 32, from Wellington.



Five DOC staff were brought back to New Zealand from the island last night. There are:



Jim Livingstone – Team Leader

Morgan Cox – Ranger

Melanie Nelson – Ranger

Evan Ward – Ranger

Lynda McGrory-Ward - Ranger



An initial ground search of the island by DOC staff and a thorough search by the rescue helicopter were unable to locate Mr Kearney.



A mission to assess the status of Raoul Island and for police to assess the feasibility of locating Mr Kearney is being mounted by police and DOC with assistance from GNS Science.



The team will travel to Raoul by boat. The boat is expected to leave within 24 hours and will take three days to reach Raoul.



The team will only land on the island if they decide it is safe based on visual checks and updates on seismic activity.





ENDS



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