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Gisborne Police need help with sightings in search for missing boy

Wednesday 18 August 2010, 9:17PM

By New Zealand Police

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GISBORNE

Sightings of children including a young boy in the Kaiti area of Gisborne late yesterday are vital in the search for Lucas Ward who has been missing for over 24 hours.

The four-year-old disappeared from his grandmother's home in Graham Road, in the suburb of Inner Kaiti, shortly after 3pm yesterday. An extensive land and water search has been underway since then but so far Lucas has not been found.

"We are increasingly concerned about Lucas and his wellbeing," said Inspector Sam Aberahama, Gisborne Area Commander. "We're urging all residents, especially those in the Kaiti area to check their properties for signs of Lucas.

"There are many places small and inquisitive children can explore and unwittingly become lost, injured or stuck. We're asking people to have a good look around their sections, search those sheds, garages, boats and other places that kids or crawl into into."

Inspector Aberahama said it's vital that police get more information about some sightings of children, including a young boy, matching Lucas' description, who were seen between 3pm and shortly after 5.30pm in Kaiti late yesterday.

Police need to know if the sightings were Lucas or not. Parents and caregivers are asked to talk with their children to find out about:

• 3pm - when Lucas was last seen at his grandmother's home in Graham Road

• 3.25pm - two boys aged approximately 8 years and 4 years were seen on the corner of Graham Road and Marian Drive. The younger boy had fair hair.

• 4.15pm - a young boy was seen walking on Delatour Road towards Owens Road. He was wearing a green t shirt. A woman spoke to him and gave him a 'hi five'. She didn't know the boy - was it Lucas or was it your son or someone you know?

• 4.30pm - a boy fitting Lucas' description was seen in Martin Park on Tyndall Road near Hudson Street. Did you see him?

• 5.30pm or soon after - someone in a vehicle stopped and spoke briefly to a LandSAR staff member and indicated they saw a boy that could be Lucas in the Tui and Kara Road area. If you were the person who provided this information, please contact Gisborne Police as we need some more details.

• 5.30pm or soon after - another resident reported seeing a child that could be Lucas in the Martin Park area. Were you there or around this area? Do you have information that can help?


Inspector Aberahama praised the overwhelming response from the Gisborne community. "We have been inundated with offers of help to search and assist in a variety of ways. The community has really rallied on this and Lucas' family is really appreciative."

Please contact Gisborne Police on 06 869 0200 if you have information that will help find Lucas.