Ahuriri Valley SAR Update 5

Around 35 searchers will continue today to look for any sign of missing Dunedin tramper David Charles Palmer (53).

Mr Palmer went into the area on what was believed to be a three to four hour tramp on Saturday (5 May). A search for Mr Palmer has been underway since Sunday evening.

Today a search team of around 24 people is covering an area of lowland beech forest in the general vicinity of the Dingleburn Track.

A further 11 searchers are covering areas that follow the Dingleburn Track down from the mountain tops.

There is low cloud and rain in the area today. This is limiting conditions for flying however two helicopters are on standby to assist with ferrying ground search teams.

The local rivers and waterways are also being searched.

The search management team, made up of Police and SAR advisors, will be meeting this afternoon to evaluate the search approach to date and to ensure that all possibilities have been covered. An outside SAR expert is being brought in to assist with this review.

Police and SAR advisors say that they believe Mr Palmer is still in the search area they are covering, however it is a large area of approximately 200 square kilometres with difficult terrain.

As time passes, Police and the SAR team are becoming less hopeful of finding Mr Palmer but say they remain committed to putting in their best possible effort today, as they have done over recent days.

Police would like to acknowledge the significant support for the search from the local Ahuriri Valley communities.