Fear for safety of missing woman mounts

Search and rescue teams resumed the hunt early this morning for a 62-year-old woman missing in Rimutaka Forest Park, near Wellington, since Monday as police become increasingly concerned for her wellbeing.

Kaye Stewart was dressed lightly with a cardigan and may have been carrying a parka when she set out for an hour-long walk on Monday morning.

Fading light forced the rescue operation to be stood down about 5pm yesterday, Sergeant Joanne Holden of Wellington search and rescue said today. Four search teams with two dog teams set off again at first light.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter assisting the search yesterday was unlikely to be deployed again unless police received further information, she said.

Mrs Stewart's dark-coloured clothing was making things more difficult for searchers.

"The clothing she had was sufficient for an hour walk but not for two nights out for the open," Ms Holden said.

It is believed she does not have any food or water with her.

Police now had to look at all possibilities, including that Mrs Stewart might have fallen, Ms Holden said. "That is one of the likely scenarios."

Yesterday nine search ground teams, the infra-red-equipped helicopter and police divers failed to find any trace of the missing woman.

Mrs Stewart was a physiotherapist for the All Blacks in the 1980s and is described as reasonably fit and a keen walker, though not especially bush-wise.

Police were alerted to her disappearance after she failed to meet family as arranged. Her locked car was found near the Catchpool car park.

- NZPA