Missing motorist 'may have run off road'

Police are continuing to search for a Richmond man who has been missing since Monday.

Ian "Bert" Collins, 56, disappeared while driving between Nelson and Methven.

He was believed to be travelling through the Lewis Pass in a silver 1998 Nissan Pulsar with the registration BMY641.

Police said Mr Collins left his Richmond house on Monday and was last seen in Wakefield, 16km southwest of Nelson, at 11.20am.

His intended route was south, turning inland at Amberley toward Rangiora/Oxford, with a final destination of Staverley near Methven.

Inspector Hugh Flower said a road search would continue today.

He said Mr Collins had probably driven off the road but in the large area it could be "difficult" to find any vehicles that had gone off the road.

Yesterday two helicopters helped searched the route without finding any sign of him.

Police are appealing for any sightings of Mr Collins or his car.

- NZPA