Hunt for missing elderly dementia sufferer in BoP

Police are appealing for sightings of a missing elderly dementia sufferer in the western Bay of Plenty who may have narrowly missed been run down while pushing his bike late last night.

Seventy-six-year-old Bryan Thomas Warrander disappeared from his Waihi home, 65km northwest of Tauranga, last night, Sergeant Dave Litton of Waihi Police said.

"He was noticed missing by family about 8.30pm and we believe a sighting of a man pushing a mountain bike in the middle of SH2, 500m from Waihi, heading to Tauranga about 11.45pm may have been him.

"There was heavy rain at the time and we're very fortunate the motorist was able to avoid the person in the middle of the road," he said.

When last seen Mr Warrander was wearing a dark grey woollen jersey, blue shirt, brown corduroy trousers and black gumboots.

"He is reported as having no real concept of night and day which is of concern to us."

Local staff had been out searching for Mr Warrander and search and rescue reinforcements from Hamilton were currently being mobilised to join the hunt.

Anyone who may have seen someone matching Mr Warrander's description wandering around last night or who may have encountered him today was urged to contact Waihi police.

- NZPA