Search continues for missing man
THE search for Gordon ‘‘Gordy’’ Mclean will resume today after searchers failed to find any trace of the ‘‘very frail’’ Dunedin man yesterday.
Some 60 people, including LandSAR volunteers who were pulled from a training exercise at Berwick, yesterday scoured areas in the Dunedin suburbs of Wakari, Helensburgh, Halfway Bush and Kaikorai Valley for Mr Mclean (63), who was last seen about 3pm on Thursday after leaving Wakari Hospital.
Coastal Otago police search and rescue coordinator Sergeant Richard Panting said Mr Mclean had schizophrenia and dementia.
‘‘The state of his health means he’s probably not in a position where he can take care of himself out there.’’
Police were particularly concerned Mr Mclean might have fallen.
Late yesterday the search was in its fourth phase and a scaled back team would continue the search overnight and early this morning before the large search resumed, Sgt Panting said.
Earlier in the day, searchers and two search and rescue dogs went doortodoor in Wakari, Halfway Bush, Taieri Rd and Kaikorai asking permission to search properties.
People in the area were asked to check sheds, under houses and backyards.
‘‘We want to make sure he has not got himself stuck on someone’s property,’’ Sgt Panting said.
Senior Constable Murray Hewitson said police were continuing doortodoor searches last night.
Mr McLean was last seen wearing a dark polar fleece, trousers, a red polo shirt, brown slippers and a black puffer vest.