Bad weather hampers search for hunter

Photo / File

Bad weather is hampering the search for an elderly possum hunter missing in remote bush in north Canterbury.

Alan Hill, 83, has not been seen since he went into the Ashley Gorge area, north west of Christchurch, on Wednesday morning.

He was not equipped to stay overnight and conditions in the area have been extremely cold and windy, with snow on the tops.

Search coordinator Sergeant Ryan O'Rourke said strong north-west winds had interfered with helicopter operations and an Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois had been sent back to Christchurch.

About 70 Land Search and Rescue volunteers would continue to search the area until nightfall.

Mr O'Rourke said the team found "nothing of relevance" today and the focus would remain on an area where a pair of gloves and a fresh line of possum traps were found on Thursday.

- NZPA