Chunks of a bedroll that may have belonged to the
Christchurch tramper missing for more than two weeks have
been found in dense bush on the West Coast.
Rex Leslie Taylor, 50, has not been seen since October 16.
West Coast search and rescue crews have been scouring the
bush, river and beach in the Totara Valley area, near Mikonui
River, since Tuesday, when his family reported him missing.
The Mikonui catchment adjoins the Totara.
Search and rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Sean Judd said 21
fresh searchers were sent into the hills this morning.
The alpine cliff rescue team, a fresh dog team from
Christchurch along with two search and rescue teams from
Westport and South Westland and one from Hokitika were
deployed about 8am.
Mr Judd said ground searchers found pieces of a bedroll that
may have been chipped off in the thick bush, as well as
pieces of rubber that experienced hunters used to light
fires.
However, they could not say for sure whether the items
belonged to Mr Taylor.
Mr Judd would not be drawn on what might have happened to the
missing man.
"We have a list of scenarios. He may have slipped down a
steep cliff, it could be medical or he may have been swept
away in a river; we just don't know.
"Mr Taylor could have also tramped elsewhere, although we
have checked huts higher up and there was nothing to suggest
that he had been there. He is a stickler for putting entries
in the hut log books and there has been nothing documented in
other huts," Mr Judd said.
"We will continue searching for now and will review the
situation as we go."
He believed the searchers were in the right place, but the
area was large, rugged and steep.
"We know we cannot get to a lot of places and cannot say 100
per cent where he might or might not be, but we are doing our
best."
On October 16, Mr Taylor parked his car at the end of the
Totara Valley Road, intending to tramp to the Explorer Hut at
the headwaters of the Mikonui River.
He left a note in the intentions log book at the Explorer Hut
on October 23 saying he expected to be out two days later.
- By Viv Logie of the Greymouth Star
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.