Police are issuing a photo of a car identical to that driven by an elderly motorist who hasn’t been seen since Thursday.
69-year-old Alex Binns left the Taumarunui area on Thursday morning to drive home to Hastings but never arrived.
Police have since received a report that a man fitting his description was seen in Tokaanu near Turangi around lunchtime. Police believe this probably was Mr Binns as friends have said that Tokaanu was a rest stop Mr Binns used when he made the trip from Taumarunui to Hastings; a trip he made regularly.
Family and friends have driven the route themselves and are trying to organise a second helicopter search but weather is currently preventing a further air search. A helicopter search organised by Police over the weekend revealed nothing.
Police are urging the public to report any sightings of Mr Binns or his vehicle since Thursday. It is a silver Ford Falcon registration XB8100. He would have driven along SH41 to Turangi then SH1 through to Taupo before travelling along SH5; the Taupo to Napier Road. Mr Binns is described as European, with grey hair and a fairly solid build.
Anyone who has seen Alex or has any information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Taumarunui Police on 07 895 8119.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.
