Search and rescue teams were tonight scouring the Tararua foothills behind Levin for an injured man.
The matter came to official attention about 4pm when ambulance communications received a 111 call about a 33-year-old Paraparaumu man apparently lying injured in foothills bush behind Levin.
Police search controller Noel Bigwood said the man had phoned his father after falling and injuring his ankle so he could not walk.
"A team of four family friends had searched for him without success, so rang 111 and were put through to ambulance," Mr Bigwood said.
The Palmerston North-based Square trust rescue helicopter, with a crew of four, searched for the missing man but did not find him.
Horowhenua Search and rescue were notified and a SAR base set up at Levin Police Station.
At 7.40pm a ground team was deployed, and since then two more teams have entered the bush and are combing the area where the man is reported to be.
Mr Bigwood said plans were being made to widen the search tomorrow morning if he was not found tonight.
