Missing driver believed to be dead

The clothing of a Te Puke man who drove his work van off the summit of the Kaimai Ranges last November has been found, but Te Paewhenau (better known as Bob) Roberts has not.

Police believe he survived the deliberate crash but is now dead.

Search parties scoured the rugged bush below the scenic lookout after Mr Roberts sped through there about 8.30am on November 30, smashing the stone and steel enforcement barrier and plunging more than 100m down the cliff.

The 53-year-old's fluorescent Fulton Hogan vest was discovered and later his Swanndri. Neither was bloodied. Yet Mr Roberts, thought to have been distressed by family problems, remained missing, his bank account untouched.

Last month, during a search and rescue exercise being held in the area, the former hunter's boots, socks, singlet, sweatshirt and pants were found in deep bush away from any tracks. A renewed search, which last week included bringing in cadaver dogs, failed to turn up a body.

Having spoken to specialists in hypothermia, police now think Mr Roberts has died.

Sergeant Graham McGurk, of Matamata, said yesterday that it was not unusual for people in the extreme stages of hypothermia to take off their clothes,

"They feel no longer cold and become serene. They might find a comfortable place, hidden away, and just go to sleep."

Mr Roberts' remaining clothing had been found in bush about 500m from the crash site, at the edge of last year's "very rugged" search area.

"The searchers don't think they would have missed it first time around," said Mr McGurk. "It was a deliberate act, him going off the edge."

There were indications Mr Roberts, a father of nine, had "actively avoided" searchers.

"One of the first things he discarded was his fluorescent jacket. Why do that if you wanted to be found?"