Family hunts through night for lost boy, 4

Police and volunteer search for Lucas Ward, in the suburb of Kaiti, Gisborne. Photo / NZPA

Police and family members of a missing four-year-old boy resumed their search for him at first light this morning.

Lucas Ward - who was being looked after by his grandmother - went missing from a Graham Rd home, in the Gisborne suburb of Inner Kaiti, about 3pm yesterday.

The official search - which included police, members of the Fire Service, the Coast Guard and Maori wardens - was called off about 10pm yesterday.

But family members continued their hunt into the night.

The search area included Turanganui River, which is near the family home.

Senior Sergeant Mick Lander, of Gisborne police, said last night that Lucas' family called police.

"It was just an unfortunate event, where they've just turned around and he just wasn't there."

Mr Lander said Lucas' parents were distraught and members of the family, friends and people in the community were still searching late last night even after the official search was called off.

"There's still people out there walking on the streets looking for him," Mr Lander said. "It's affecting everybody."

Lucas is Pakeha and has blond hair. He was last seen wearing a light blue sweatshirt, track pants and had bare feet.

A member of the public reported to police late yesterday that they had possibly seen him about 5.30pm.

Police were urging that person to come forward so that they can speak to them again.

Mr Lander said the search team had not found any sign or object to indicate that Lucas had been in the area and were not ruling out other possibilities regarding his disappearance.

Police are asking all residents in the area surrounding and bordering Graham Road to search their backyards and riverbanks.

* Any information - Gisborne police: (06) 869 0200.