Update V, reinforcements arrive for King Country search

King Country search update V

Waikato Police say reinforcements from across the North Island have arrived to assist and relieve colleagues working on the search to locate a West Coast man missing in the King Country for five days.

Sergeant Phil Bell of the Waikato Search and Rescue Squad said Land Search and Rescue volunteers have arrived from Waitomo, Taupo, Turangi, Hamilton and Rotorua to bolster existing staff.

"The operation is based in the Pureora Forest near Barryville, between Benneydale and Mangakino, and we have a helicopter, specialist tracking dogs, a visual tracking team and searchers comprising the 12 teams out in the field.

"They are being backed up by an operational headquarters and supported by a logistical team keeping all the people involved fed, watered and transported. To keep such large numbers in the field requires a lot of work and support, not just from the volunteers but their families and employers as well."

As well as challenging terrain and very cold temperatures the deteriorating weather conditions forecast are posing significant concern for the searchers.

"Mr WRIGHT was reasonably well equipped when he set out from Te Kuiti on Monday however when his vehicle was recovered off Waitaramoa Rd yesterday his cold weather kit, sleeping bag and food were located in the vehicle which is of obvious concern for the operational team and his family.

"Teams remained in the bush overnight and will be replaced today as the operation expands further. A major hazard in the area is a large swamp and the last footprints found were heading directly in that direction."

Mr Bell said Mr WRIGHT was an experienced bushman and it is hoped he would have recognised the swamp and back tracked and it was now a case of trying to locate where he back tracked to.

"The helicopter focused on the swamp and wetlands yesterday as the high bush canopy is so close you can't see into the bush from the air.

"On the ground search teams are conducting line searches of what is a very large area and will continue these throughout the day."

Note to media; there is no cell phone coverage and only one land line into the search HQ. Updates are being done three times a day via email and the Police website. Media seeking an interview with Mr Bell are advised to make their way to the Waitaramoa Rd headquarters and asked not to tie up the landline by attempting phone interviews.

A reporter who arrived at the scene yesterday said they were made welcome, briefed and fed but it is quite an isolated area and takes some time to get to.

End