Search for missing hunter continues

About 35 police and volunteers continued their search today for a 66-year-old hunter who has been missing in bush southeast of Taumarunui since Wednesday.

However, deteriorating weather conditions were hampering the search, Sergeant Vicky Todd, of Wanganui police, told NZPA.

Donald Wesley Hooker, from nearby Owhango, was dropped off in the Tongariro Forest Park area early on Wednesday morning, but failed to turn up at a meeting point with a companion later in the day.

Rescue teams searched all day yesterday.

The operation included Department of Conservation staff, police, locals, search and rescue volunteers and the Fire Service.

Police said rain, low cloud and rugged terrain had made searching difficult .

- NZPA