Kaimai mystery a youth training task

A group of Tauranga teenagers will head to the Kaimai bush today in the hope they can unearth a major clue in the disappearance of Bobby Roberts.

Youth Search and Rescue members will start their search from Roberts' last-known point, and are using the search as a training exercise.

It was 8.30am on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 when Roberts made an impulsive decision. Nearing the peak of State Highway 29 on the Kaimai Range as he headed towards Tauranga, Roberts turned his Fulton Hogan work van around and sped back down the hill, towards the summit lookout.

He swerved across two lanes and sped into the lookout area.

Roberts, 53, travelling about 100km/h, smashed through the brick and steel lookout barrier, plunging more than 100m down the bush-clad cliff.

His body has never been found.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES