Update IV; Reinforcements called in for search for missing West Coast man

Search for West Coast man missing in King Country to continue overnight

Highs and lows is how searchers describe their efforts to locate a missing West Coast man last seen in Te Kuiti on Monday.

Sergeant Phil Bell of the Waikato Search and Rescue Squad said the finding of 63-year-old Leslie WRIGHT'S car on a forestry road near Barryville overnight was a significant development because it allowed searchers to focus on a specific area of interest.

"Up till then we were looking for his vehicle somewhere between Kawhia on the North Island's West Coast and Waihi towards the East Coast.

"But all that changed with the vehicle being located and we have about 50 Police and Land Search and Rescue volunteers involved in what is quite a major search operation."

That operation has involved specialist dogs, a visual tracking team and a Police helicopter as well as people on the ground carrying out searches.

"We put the Police Eagle helicopter to search waterways, clear areas, swamps and other open ground while a scent tracking dog used from first light was replaced about 4pm with a second specialist dog.

"We've also had a visual tracking team following footprints from where the car was found but so far we've not been able to locate Mr WRIGHT."

A number of searchers will remain in the area overnight continuing the search and will be bolstered by reinforcements arriving tomorrow morning.

"This particular area is one of relatively flat terrain covered in quite close bush with a very high, thick canopy which has caught out a number of people over the years who once they are unable to see the sky find it near impossible to navigate without the use of a compass.

"Mr WRIGHT'S family were at the search base today and are assisting the search. Both they and Police hold concerns for his wellbeing given he hasn't been seen for the best part of four days."

Mr Bell said in such large scale operations as these it was often too easy to focus on what the Police were doing and not realise the significant support being provided by the local and wider community.

"To maintain the 12 teams we currently have in the field and the operational headquarters we rely heavily on Land Search and Rescue volunteers who give of their time and expert knowledge freely.

"We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their support and that of the reinforcements arriving tomorrow and that of their employers and families. It is via this support Police are able reassure the family that all that can be done is being done in the search for Mr WRIGHT."

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