Missing trampers case reopened after 18 years

The search for a tramper who disappeared at Kokatahi, near Hokitika, has been reopened after 18 years.

Wellingtonian Connan Bolitho, 21, disappeared south of Arthur's Pass in April 1991.

He had left his tramping mates to go alone over little-used passes and tracks to Mt Cook, the Westport News reported.

His case has been reopened for TV series Missing, which focuses on cold cases of missing and lost people.

West Coast search and rescue operations manager Sean Judd said about 70 searchers were involved in the search, which would finish tomorrow.

The air force was also assisting.

A group in Westport spent a weekend last month determining how the search would take place, using modern methods which weren't available in 1991.

- NZPA