Missing Whitianga man still not found

Police coordinating a search for an Auckland man missing near Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula believe the man's situation may be causing him anxiety which could set off a pre-existing medical condition and they have concerns for his safety.

Cem (pronounced Jem) Erbay, 19, from Auckland, was reported missing about 5.30pm yesterday.

"He was last seen by friends after crossing the one-lane bridge on Wharekaho Rd at the end of Simpson's Beach in Whitianga about 4am," Constable Dave Pitchford said.

Thames-Coromandel sub-area manager Senior Sergeant Graham Shields said search and rescue squads extended the search to areas of farmland and the coastline today, and will be re-assessing other options to try to find him.

"We currently have about 70 searchers from seven different search and rescue (organisations) scouring the river, bush, farmland and the coast looking for him and that search has also involved the use of helicopters."

Mr Shields said Mr Erbay had a heart condition that made it dangerous to over-exert himself and his condition may make him become disorientated.

"For that reason we're asking anyone who may have spoken to someone in a disorientated state to make contact with us.

"We've had a number of possible sightings reported to us which have all been vigorously pursued by the teams on the ground but to date the only confirmed sighting we have is when he was last seen by the bridge early yesterday morning."

He is described as a 175cm tall, olive-skinned Caucasian of medium build with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved white T-shirt, jeans and might have been barefoot.

Mr Shields said police had not ruled out Mr Erbay being picked up hitch-hiking and he asked anyone who may have given someone of that description a ride to contact Whitianga police.

- NZPA