Still no sign of missing motorist

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.