Searches for two people missing in bush on either side of
Cook Strait have been hampered by bad weather today.
An aerial search for a tramper missing in Kahurangi National
Park near Nelson was suspended for the second day running.
Palmerston North man Alistair Levy, 54, was last heard from a
week ago after reaching the summit of Mt Owen, in the park's
southern section.
Ground search teams have been called off after combing an
area described as some of the most difficult terrain police
have encountered.
Senior Sergeant Steve Savage said fears for Mr Levy's welfare
were very high.
Initial searches with infrared equipment and night goggles
produced no results, something Mr Savage said was "concerning
in itself".
"Obviously as time goes on and the search continues to be
delayed a happy outcome is becoming less and less likely."
Police hoped the weather would clear enough for the
helicopter to search the two square kilometre target area
tomorrow morning.
"It's an area that's incredibly dense and difficult to
access, and it's the only remaining gap in our search at this
stage."
If the aerial search yielded no results operations are likely
to be postponed pending further information, said Mr Savage.
Meanwhile the aerial search for a runner missing in the
Tararua Ranges was postponed today because of heavy rain and
high winds.
Alistair Shelton, 33, has been missing since going for a run
on Saturday morning and failing to meet his family for lunch.
He was wearing a singlet, black shorts, lycra tights, bright
green running shoes and had a small backpack.
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