Kayakers join search for missing possum hunter

Hopes of finding alive an elderly possum hunter missing in remote bush in north Canterbury are fading fast after second day of fruitless searching.

Nothing has been heard of 83-year-old Alan Hill since he went into the Ashley Gorge area, north west of Christchurch, on Wednesday morning to set possum traps.

Search coordinator Sergeant Ryan O'Rourke said searchers were becoming increasing concern for the well-being of Mr Hill who was not equipped for a night in the bush.

Thirty Land Search and Rescue personnel and police dog teams were today joined by a team of kayakers checking the Ashley River.

The search has been concentrated on an area where a pair of gloves and a fresh line of possum traps thought to belong to Mr Hill were found yesterday.

- NZPA