Police and civilian land search and rescue volunteers are still combing the Rimutaka Forest Park for missing 28-year-old Polish tourist Jacek Grzybowski.
Inspector Mike Wright, Wellington Police Search and Rescue, said search teams supported by an Air Force Iroquois helicopter from Ohakea are systematically covering areas where Mr Grzybowski may have strayed.
"The bush is very dense off the tracks and the terrain is hard going in many places," Inspector Wright said. "We know that it was misty on the tops on Saturday and it's possible Jacek has become disoriented, slipped and fallen or under estimated how long it would take him to complete the tramp."
Two civilian volunteer searchers were airlifted out this morning with knee and ankle injuries. The injuries are not serious but were sufficiently uncomfortable that the two searchers were unable to continue.
Inspector Wright said more than 30 searchers are in the field hoping to cover as much ground as possible before the weather is expected to deteriorate later tomorrow.
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