Family join search for missing jogger
A search will resume this morning for a 21-year-old woman who disappeared after going for a jog in the Piha bush on Friday morning .
Nurse Kim Bambus was last seen by friends at a Countdown supermarket in Ponsonby at 9am on Friday morning, just before heading to the west Auckland beach for a run.
Scott Iszard of Search & Rescue said she would not have enough food and drink to sustain her.
He said the team were exploring the possibility that she was supposed to meet someone before her run and that she ‘‘was possibly injured’’.
Police said they were concerned for Bambus’ safety as it was out of character for her not to be in contact with family and friends.
Bambus’ car was found on Log Race Rd, Piha, with her mobile phone inside. Last night her sister Storm Bambus said their family were ‘‘really worried but hopeful’’ after a day of scouring the bush.
She said her sister’s flatmates had become concerned when Bambus failed to return on Friday night, so drove to Piha to look for her. Unable to find their friend, they contacted police and Bambus’ family at around 8pm.
Search & Rescue were alerted that night and the search continued through yesterday. The police Eagle helicopter took over at 9pm.
There was no indication that foul play was involved.
Storm Bambus said she drove down from the Bay of Islands to join the 20 people out looking for her sister. Their parents sailed back to the mainland from Great Barrier Island.
‘‘Kim is very independent and it isn’t unusual for her to go running alone, though Piha wasn’t her usual destination,’’ she said.
‘‘She was there a couple of weeks ago with friends, though.’’
She described her sister as ‘‘a tiny little thing and the life of the party’’. ‘‘Hopefully she’s just lost.’’ Iszard said the current search operation involved about 25-30 police officers and volunteers.
Bambus was last seen wearing a dark-coloured jacket, pink exercise top, black shorts and black and white Nike exercise shoes. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail and she carried a large water bottle.
* Contact Auckland Police on 09 302 6400