Search for missing elderly man

A search is underway tonight for an elderly man missing in Queen Elizabeth Park on the Kapiti Coast.

The alarm was raised about 4.30pm when the police central communications centre was told the 81-year-old man was missing.

He was last seen at the carpark at the end of Whareroa Road near the beach. He had gone for a short walk along toward a stream and was expected to return by 4pm.

The man, who was not dressed for wet conditions, has not been seen since.

Police said a command vehicle was on the site, and four search teams had been deployed as well as the Westpac rescue helicopter which had thermal imaging equipment on board.

- NZPA