After thorough searches at weekend by both Police and local community, there's still no sign of missing 17 year old Warkworth teenager Luke MASON.
Three independent sightings have been made of a person fitting the description of Mr. MASON. Police say that as a result of these sightings it has been established that the teenager was last seen at the Mahurangi River Bridge at about 8.00pm - 8.10pm on Friday 20 July 2007.
The missing man had been at a local Warkworth address drinking with friends and left the address to ride to his mother's place on a push bike. His BMX bike was found by Mahurangi River Bridge prior to 2.00am, Saturday 21 July 2007.
On Saturday almost 150 searchers joined family and friends of the missing farm worker to search an area that included roadside verges north of Warkworth as far as the Dome Valley, and south as far as Pohuehue Viaduct.
Yesterday a 40 x strong Police Search and Rescue team carried out a ground search in a sector that included all private properties on SH1 and the eastern side of Warkworth Township.
Sergeant Bede HAUGHEY of Warkworth Police says the disappearance of this young man is mystifying. As each day passes the growing reality is that it is highly unlikely he is in the search area that has been extensively canvassed.
"The Police dive team has searched an 800 metre sector of the local Mahurangi River. They did so in challenging conditions. The Police Marine Unit Deodar has searched the coast and the tidal river almost every second day."
"Eagle helicopter has completed several aerial sweeps of the local terrain. Residential and roadside properties have been canvassed by our Search and Rescue Unit. Routine enquiries have been ongoing by local investigators."
"This week the enquiry team will review the investigation to date, to determine what areas if any require further searching. This may include a second search of the river above the weir."
"The regular water flow is about 1.4 cu metres per second, however yesterday it rose to 60 cu metres per second after heavy rain."
"Police acknowledge the level of support provided by the family and friends of the missing man and wider community. The number of people who were involved in the search on Saturday was impressive," Sergeant HAUGHEY said.
Police describe the missing 17 year old farm employee as:
NAME - MASON/ Luke Stewart
Male - Caucasian
Resident of Warkworth
DOB - 25/1/1990 - Aged 17 years
Occupation - Farm Worker
Height - 175cm - [5'10"]
Hair - Brown
Clothing - when last seen he was casually dressed and wearing black jacket, black trousers/pants, dark shoes. He regularly wears his hair tied at the back.
Police ask anyone who has information on the whereabouts of the missing teenager Luke MASON to call them on 0800 WARKWORTH - [0800 927 596].
ENDS:
Kevin [Kev] Loughlin
District Communications Manager / Media Advisor
Waitemata Police District
12-14 Northcroft Street - Takapuna - Auckland
Phone 09 488 9758 - Extn 96308
Mobile 027 281 0271
Email - kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz