Fears grow for woman missing in bush since Monday

Kaye Stewart

Police are increasingly concerned for the safety of a Wellington woman lost in Rimutaka Forest Park since Monday.

Kaye Stewart, 62, was last seen about 12.30pm that day when she spoke to a Department of Conservation worker at the department's workshops on Wainuiomata Coast Rd, about 2km from where she had parked her car.

Mrs Stewart was given directions of how to find the carpark but did not return to her vehicle.

Wellington police search-and-rescue coordinator Sergeant Jo Holden said police had serious concerns for Mrs Stewart, who was lightly clad and not equipped for nights in the open.

"We're looking in every possible place in the search area to try and find Mrs Stewart or get an indication as to what direction she may have travelled," she said.

"It's been cold, wet and windy and not ideal for someone facing her third night in the open."

More than 40 searchers including helicopters, search dog, police divers, Fleur (forward-looking infra-red) equipment and aerial observers have so far found no sign of Mrs Stewart.

The main tracks, roadsides and streambeds in the Catchpool and Wainuiomata Coast Rd area have been extensively covered, with aerial sweeps out to the coast.

A helicopter was used again yesterday morning but had now been stood down.

Seven field teams were still out searching until nightfall, including properties next to the Catchpool area.

The Police National Dive Squad has cleared the Catchpool Stream and is combing the Wainuiomata River.

Yesterday afternoon, seven investigators began an area canvass, knocking on doors of properties in the 7km stretch of road between the Rimutaka Forest Park entrance and the coast.

Detective Senior Sergeant Soni Malaulau, head of Lower Hutt CIB, said investigators were working in tandem with the search teams to try to find Mrs Stewart.

"Our involvement at this stage of the search doesn't indicate anything untoward," he said.

"This is a missing persons inquiry and it's standard practice for us to be involved and help firm up on sightings or background inquiries."

Anyone living in the Wainuiomata Coast Rd area, or anyone who was walking, working or driving in the area between 10am and 2pm on Monday should contact the Lower Hutt duty CIB on (04) 560-2600.

"We'd also like people to search their properties and outbuildings in case Mrs Stewart is disoriented and lying injured somewhere," said Mr Malaulau.

Mrs Stewart, who is not an experienced tramper, drove to the forest park visitor centre about 10.30 am on Monday.

Her intention was to walk for about an hour before returning to meet family in Wainuiomata.

She is 1.73m tall, of medium build with grey hair.

Mrs Stewart is believed to be wearing dark trousers, a pink ribbed jersey, sandshoes and a possibly a dark coloured parka.

- NZPA