River a focus of search for missing Pahiatua woman

Missing: Police are searching for Elizabeth,(Lizzie) Udy who has been missing from Pahiatua since Wednesday, October 11. Photo / Supplied

A plan for police divers to search the Mangatainoka River for a Pahiatua woman missing for just over two weeks had to be called off before the weekend, and had not resumed yesterday.

To date, canoe and kayak searches on the river, as well as surrounding land areas, had been unable to locate Elizabeth Udy who police believed entered the river by the Pahiatua town bridge some time after 3am on Wednesday, October 11.

A police spokesperson said that should the river levels improve, there may be a further search, but more details on that would be confirmed today.

Emergency services, assisted by Tararua and Manawatu LandSAR volunteers, have scoured the area, last week enlisting a Hawke's Bay Regional Council drone to help with the river search conducted when the water level was lower.

On October 18, police put out an appeal for anyone who may have seen or had contact with Lizzie to come forward, and said in a statement they had been unable to locate any sign of Lizzie or information concerning her whereabouts.

She had not made contact with any of her friends or family and had not used her bank and phone accounts, police said.

Lizzie was 45 years old and described as Caucasian, of slim build, and about 155cm tall. She was wearing a lightweight dressing gown when last seen, and was believed to be on foot with no access to a vehicle.