Hunt for Luke expands to Whitianga’s waterways
Police dive squad called in as search for missing 19-year-old enters fourth day
Day four of the search for Luke Cochrane begins today as the police turn their attention to waterways. LandSAR crews have scoured, scaled and searched the high and low lands, beachfronts and creeks of Whitianga.
This morning the police national dive squad will search the many waterways around the tiny township.
Eastern Waikato police area commander John Kelly said yesterday that he had briefed the family that it was now a search operation, not a rescue.
They had taken the news hard and after public appeals by Luke’s father, Dave Cochrane, and mother, Catherine Tamati, over the past 48 hours, were now seeking privacy.
The search teams had combed about 80 per cent of the township and were yesterday checking the remaining 20 per cent.
Crews were out again knocking on doors asking residents if they’d seen anything and if they could check their garden sheds or under dense bush.
Boats moored in the harbour will be included in the search, which will also stretch out to Tapu-Coroglen Rd and the 309 Rd, although police said there was nothing to suggest Cochrane had left the town.
After appeals for information, police have received about 12 calls from members of the public.
Catherine Tamati told the Herald they would remain in Whitianga until their son and brother was found.
She, and police, thanked members of the Whitianga community for the help and donations of food received so far.
More and more friends and family gathered at the search headquarters near Whitianga Airport yesterday hoping for news and to help search.
Nineteen-year-old Luke is European, 1.82m in height and of medium build with short, sandy-coloured hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt, dark blue jeans, a black peaked cap and white, red and blue Nike shoes.
Anyone with information is urged to phone police on 111.
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