Team numbers boosted in search for Polish tramper

The search for Polish tramper Jacek Gryzbowski who has been missing in the Rimutaka Forest Park since Saturday has been boosted today with extra support from outside the Wellington region.

Ten mainly Police and New Zealand Land Search and Rescue specialist teams are in the field supported by an Air Force Iroquois from Ohakea.

Inspector Mike Wright, Wellington Police District Operations Manager, says the 38 field searchers include police, and volunteers from Wellington, the Wairarapa, Palmerston North, Horowhenua and Tararua NZ Land SAR. The Upper Hutt community rescue team is also involved with a further 14 search specialists at the headquarters base, planning the search activity, tasking teams and maintaining communications with them in the field.

"It's a big logistical operation with an intensive search effort to find Jacek," Inspector Wright says. "The help we've had from community groups like the Salvation Army with catering and the Hutt Valley Emergency Management office with additional equipment is a great support to those doing the hard physical activity on the ground."

Seven of the teams are expected to stay in the bush overnight as the search for twenty eight year old Mr Gryzbowski intensifies.

Some of the tramper's worried family members are expected to arrive from Poland on Sunday to await news with Mr Gryzbowski's Wellington friends and work colleagues.

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate over the weekend.