Man missing after car crash

Two West Coast Search and Rescue teams were this morning scouring bush near Jacksons, 50km east of Greymouth, to find missing man Albert Biddington.

The 63-year-old was the driver of a car which crashed on State Highway 73 at Aickens, west of Otira, around 9pm yesterday.

Search co-ordinator Neil Gillespie said emergency services called to the crash scene early this morning but were unable to locate the driver.

No clues to Mr Biddington's whereabouts were found at his home.

Greymouth Fire chief Alan McEnaney said fire, St John, and the police searched the crash site area extensively last night but found no sign of the man.

Mr Biddington's station-wagon had hit a deer fence and the engine was beginning to smoulder when a nearby resident heard the accelerator revving.

The witness crossed the paddock and saw a man in the front seat.

He went and called for help, but when he returned to the car Mr Biddington had gone.

There were concerns for the missing man's health as blood was found in the vehicle.

The search teams believed they were looking for an injured man, but rescuers were keeping an open mind, Mr Gillespie said.

"The man disappeared for a few days after his house burned down a couple of years back. He might have gone bush again."

- NZPA