Man missing in Mount Aspiring National Park is 21-year-old Argentinian, friends appeal for sightings

Hector Gastón Artigau went missing during a hike on Rob Roy Glacier Track in Central Otago. Photo / Supplied

The person missing in Aspiring National Park is 21-year-old Hector Gastón Artigau, from Argentina, who is in New Zealand on a working holiday visa.

Artigau was hiking the popular Rob Roy Glacier Track with two friends two days ago when he fell off a rock into the river and did not resurface.

Police and local Search and Rescue members this morning resumed the search for the Argentinian national, who was last seen at around 4.30pm on Thursday, February 6, about 600 metres from the upper lookout of the Rob Roy track, near the river.

A friend who was with Artigau on the hike described the terrifying moment they saw the 21-year-old fall from the rock and into the water.

Santiago Ponce told the Herald he and another friend, Blas, were hiking the track with Artigau when they lost track of their friend.

“Blas and I were with him when it happened, we lost sight of him at one point and never saw him again,” he said.

They then spotted his hat in the river and began screaming for help.

The person missing in Aspiring National Park is 21-year-old Hector Gastón Artigau, from Argentina. Photo / Supplied

While a search is under way in the area where the man was last seen, the track remains closed and friends have taken to social media to share details about Artigau in the hope someone may help find him.

The 21-year-old’s family in Argentina have been notified of his disappearance.

“The family were informed today by the Argentinean chancellery, a person went to his house and informed the family of his disappearance,” the friend said.

At the time of his disappearance, Artigau was dressed similarly to the photo the friends are circulating online, in a black singlet, black shorts, grey Salomon sneakers and carrying a dark blue backpack.

The missing man arrived in New Zealand in September last year on a working holiday visa. Ponce told the Herald the two met in December while working in Central Otago and became friends.

“We met in Alexandra to work together in the cherry season, I met him on about 18 December, and we worked all January together,” he said.

Artigau’s family in Argentina remain hopeful he will be found safe and sound.