Police again check river for missing boy

Lucas Ward is 'almost over-friendly, a very happy little boy', his mother says. Photo / Supplied

A police dive squad is again scouring the Waimata River as the search for missing four-year-old Gisborne boy Lucas Ward enters its third day.

Lucas has been missing for two nights after he was last seen at his grandmother's home on Graham Rd in suburban Kaiti about 3pm Tuesday.

His grandmother was briefly distracted and when she went back to look for Lucas, he was gone.

Gisborne area commander Inspector Sam Aberahama said police were growing increasingly concerned for his wellbeing.

A dive squad yesterday scoured the Waimata River, which runs parallel behind properties on Graham Rd, and was searching the river again today.

Searchers were also looking along the riverbank near Lucas' home and surrounding streets, while police were out door-knocking around the Kaiti area.

Mr Aberahama said sightings were vital in the search for Lucas.

He urged all residents, especially those in the Kaiti area, to check their properties for signs of Lucas.

"There are many places small and inquisitive children can explore and unwittingly become lost, injured or stuck.

"We're asking people to have a good look around their sections, search those sheds, garages, boats and other places that kids or crawl into."

Lucas is Caucasian with blond hair. He was wearing navy blue track pants with two orange stripes down both sides and a light blue sweatshirt, and was barefoot.

Police are seeking more information about some sightings of children, including a young boy matching Lucas' description, in Kaiti between about 3pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday.

They were following up five possible sightings that day, and had asked parents and caregivers to talk with their children to rule them out.

Two boys, aged about eight and four, were seen on the corner of Graham Rd and Marian Dr at 3.25pm. The younger boy had fair hair.

At 4.15pm a young boy wearing a green T-shirt was seen walking on Delatour Rd towards Owens Rd.

A boy fitting Lucas' description was seen in Martin Park at 4.30pm, and another sighting was reported an hour later.

Also about 5.30pm, someone in a vehicle stopped and spoke briefly to a searcher and indicated they saw a boy that could be Lucas in the Tui and Kara Rd area.

Mr Aberahama today praised the overwhelming response from the Gisborne community.

"The disappearance of Lucas has affected this community greatly and there is a huge swell of concern and support for the family.

"We have been inundated with offers of help and we are extremely grateful for that level of support.

"We have had businesses ring up saying they will pay workers to volunteer time to help us. We have had an abundance of food brought to the station and out to the family's home," he said.

About 50 people, including police, search and rescue staff, Maori wardens and volunteers looked for Lucas until early last night.

Pamphlets with Lucas' photo on them were yesterday handed out in the CBD by groups of people and posters were displayed in many shop windows and on poles around town.

Messages of hope and support to the family had flowed in to the Gisborne Herald and on to social networking site Facebook. There are more than 420 members on a Facebook group called Help Find Lucas Ward.

Police also appealed for public help in connection with a series of reported sightings of the boy between 3pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday.

- NZPA