Search stepped up after missing man’s coat found in hills

Searchers with abseiling gear headed into steep country in the Kaimai ranges today to search for a missing man who may be wandering around injured and disoriented.

Te Paewhenua "Bobby" Roberts, 53, has not been seen since his van plunged 40 metres down a mountain in the ranges on Tuesday.

Police yesterday found Mr Roberts' swandri coat and cap the day after finding his vest in the steep and inhospitable country.

They said today he may be injured and disoriented from the crash and may still be in the area.

Sergeant Graham McGurk, of Matamata police, said about 40 searchers would be joined by family members in the ranges today looking for Mr Roberts.

He said the swandri and cap were found only a short distance from the crash site.

"It is very rugged terrain and it is quite possible he is trying to climb out.

"I know it is a small area we are looking in but searchers say it is incredibly difficult terrain - very dense bush, very bluffy, steep cliffs, everything.

"He certainly was fired out of that vehicle. He's going to be in a distressed state but what has happened after that we have no idea," Mr McGurk said.

He said Mr Roberts, from Te Puke, knew bush well, was capable of surviving and would have contacted his family if he had got out.

Mr McGurk said it was not suitable for an aerial helicopter search because the bush was so dense.

Mr Roberts' light truck crashed through a concrete and stone wall at a lookout on the summit of the Kaimai Ranges.

- NZPA