SAR looking for man who failed to finish tramp

On Thursday evening Police were contacted after a 19 year old Wellington man failed to meet his father as arranged after a 4 day tramp in the Otaki Forks area.

He was last seen Tuesday morning at Waiotauru Hut by a hunter.

On Friday two ground search teams from Levin and Wellington went into the Waiotauru Area.

A Police SAR officer also checked huts in the vicinity with a Helipro helicopter, but thick cloud limited operations.

Today 7 more teams of LANDSAR volunteers and Police from Horowhenua, Manawatu, Tararua, and Wellington are going into the area to expand the search. In total 56 personnel will be in the field by lunchtime.

3 Squadron from RNZAF Ohakea are providing helicopter support.

Weather conditions are deteriorating with low cloud at present and heavy rain expected.