KEY POINTS:
Fears are growing for the safety of an Invercargill man missing in the Otapiri Gorge near the Southland town of Winton.
Brendan Mulder, 49, who has health issues and takes medication, was last seen about 2.15pm yesterday in a grey Subaru Legacy parked off Otapiri Rd. He was thought to have walked away from where the car was parked.
Senior Sergeant Olaf Jensen, of Invercargill police, said a search team of police and volunteers had scoured the area on foot and with a helicopter today, checking rural buildings and farms.
Mr Jensen told NZPA searchers were becoming more concerned for Mr Mulder's health.
"The gentleman has some health issues and obviously we're concerned the longer he's missing out there," he said. "We don't know what his intentions were."
Mr Mulder took medication and it was possible his condition could deteriorate.
Mr Jensen said police were appealing to the public or motorists in the area yesterday for sightings of Mr Mulder.
He is Pakeha, of thin build, 175cm tall with short grey hair and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black T-shirt, a denim cap and white and navy gym shoes.
Mr Jensen said it was raining in the area late this afternoon and search controllers were reassessing whether to continue until dusk or plan a further search tomorrow.
- NZPA
