A search and rescue helicopter looking for a missing tramper
in Nelson has been targeted with a laser.
The helicopter was using night vision equipment yesterday to
search for Alistair Levy, 54, of Palmerston North, who left
Nelson on Saturday morning for a tramp in the Mt Owen area.
Nelson police Sergeant John Maxwell said when the helicopter
was returning from the late night search a laser light was
shone into the aircraft.
The pilot and crew located the property the laser was shone
from and police have since arrested the suspect.
Mr Levy was due to meet family in Christchurch on Monday but
failed to arrive.
Five teams of searchers, including a dog and specialist
cavers are today in Kahurangi National Park continuing the
search, covering the Bulmer Tarn, Mt Owen, Branch River and
Sunrise Peak to the Owen River Valley.
The cavers were brought in to search the cave systems in the
area.
Police said Mr Levy's car had been located at the start of
the track at Courthouse Flat, however, his yellow Bauer
Tornado mountain bike is yet to be located.
Weather in the search area remained favourable today, Mr
Maxwell said.
While Mr Levy was an experienced tramper who had completed
numerous solo tramps, he was not carrying a locater beacon.
Police said a number of people had come forward who were in
the area at the time, but police still wanted to speak to
anyone else who has been tramping in or around Mt Owen since
Saturday.
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