A search is under way in the Arthur’s Pass area for two American university students reported overdue from a tramping expedition.
Alec Brown and Erica Kintworth, both 21, set off on 1 June and were expected to return between Monday and Wednesday last week. They were reported missing to Police by friends on Saturday evening.
They are both studying at Canterbury University.
A helicopter has just completed a search of the area this morning and has not found any sign of the pair. Ground search teams are now preparing to go in.
West Coast Search and Rescue Co-ordinator Sergeant Sean Judd said Police held serious concerns for the pair’s welfare if they were still in the area. There has been heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures for several days and the information gathered from friends suggested the pair is not well equipped for extreme conditions.
“The weather in there has been horrendous,” Sergeant Judd said.
He said there was always the possibility the pair had come out of the area and failed to contact anyone and asked that anyone who had seen Mr Brown and Miss Kintworth, or who had information on their whereabouts, to contact Police immediately.
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Media inquiries: Tasman Police Communications Manager Ph 0274 780853