River search fails to find woman

Police say foul play cannot be ruled out in the disappearance of an elderly Hamilton woman last week.

Audrey Gibson, 82, was last seen leaving her hairdresser's on Comries Rd, in suburban Queenwood, about 4.30pm last Wednesday.

"We don't suspect foul play, but it is a possibility - it hasn't been eliminated," Sergeant Phil Bell of the Waikato search and rescue team said yesterday.

Search teams had yesterday scoured the Waikato River and its banks from Hamilton to Taupiri, 26km northwest of the city, but had failed to find any trace of Mrs Gibson.

"We're not looking at using a dive team at this stage because we haven't got a start point," Mr Bell said.

Mrs Gibson's daughter, Sue Manga, said her mother's 82nd birthday was on Monday and not having her there to celebrate it was particularly sad.

The family have been putting flyers in letter boxes and shops around Hamilton CBD appealing for information.

Mrs Gibson, who moved to Hamilton from Rotorua 10 years ago, takes daily medication for high blood pressure and angina, although missing it is not believed to be life-threatening.

She is described as European, about 160cm tall, with grey hair. She was wearing a white sleeveless shirt, white and brown jersey, and brown trousers, and was carrying a green canvas shopping bag and a black handbag.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

- NZPA