Hat not missing NZ pilot's, police say

A hat found in the search for an Air New Zealand pilot missing in Hong Kong is not his, local police say.

The search for First Officer Stephen John Morrissey entered its fifth day today after he was last seen on Wednesday tramping with Captain Mark Apperley on the Wilson trail in Hong Kong's New Territories.

A 200-strong search team, including abseiling specialists and tracker dog teams, as well as boats and helicopters, will return to the trail area, and the village at the end of the track, today.

A hat found on the trail yesterday was thought to have belonged to Mr Morrissey.

But Hong Kong police said in a statement it was not his hat, and was not being pursued as a line of inquiry.

Mr Morrissey had jungle survival training in Singapore and Malaysia when an air force helicopter pilot in the 1980s.

An old Army mate told the Herald that Hong Kong would have similar conditions.

Air NZ deputy chief executive Norm Thompson thanked New Zealanders for their messages of support.

Family members and Air NZ staff in Hong Kong remained hopeful Mr Morrissey would be found, and there had been no suggestion of foul play.

Mr Morrissey and Mr Apperley became separated when the latter took a rest.

They agreed to meet near the end of the track but when Mr Morrissey did not turn up, Mr Apperley returned to their hotel to raise the alarm.

The area where Mr Morrissey had gone missing was fairly easy terrain, and the pair had water, a backpack and some other provisions.

Mr Morrissey was fit and had tramped for years.

Hospitals, hotels and other locations throughout Hong Kong have been checked in the search.

Mr Morrissey's two sisters and sister-in-law have travelled to Hong Kong to help with the search.

- NZPA