As dawn breaks over a foggy Hamilton, Police and Search and Rescue volunteers are briefing to continue a search for an elderly dementia patient who went missing while visiting a local Hospital.
Search Controller, Constable Ross Moratti, said Police are very concerned for the safety of 70-year-old Kawhia man, Trevor SMITH, who was last seen on the ramp leading to the public entrance to Waikato Hospital about 5pm on Sunday.
"Clean shaven with a number one haircut and of average to solid build, when last seen Mr SMITH was wearing a distinctive lime green Vodafone Warriors rugby league jersey, dark blue track-pants, plain white sandshoes and a grey cap.
"Mr SMITH suffers from type two diabetes and has mild dementia and searchers and his family are concerned he may be quite disorientated due to a lack of insulin which he must take daily."
Mr Moratti said Mr SMITH was not a patient at the hospital but was visiting friends with relatives at the time he went missing and Police and hospital staff are working to review security camera footage to try and determine his direction of travel.
"Family members continued searching for him through Sunday evening and raised the alarm with Police have who briefed on duty staff about his disappearance and mobilised Land Search and Rescue teams who continued the search until about 2am today.
"We are currently briefing with a view of putting fresh teams out in the field at first light to resume the search. At the same time we are asking anyone who might see a disorientated elderly man to check if they need help and confirm their identity."
Mr Moratti said anyone who believes they may have seen Mr SMITH or who encounters someone who may be disorientated or in distress is to contact Police by dialling 111.
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