Hot-pool heartbreak
Family of missing man wish they had the chance to say goodbye
The mysterious disappearance of a man suspected to have accidentally fallen in a hot pool has left his family with the pain of not being able to properly say goodbye.
The family of Matthew, known as Matt, have spoken out about their love for him and their gratitude to emergency services workers who have gone to extreme lengths to find his body.
Matt’s eldest sister, Dawn, who has requested only their first names be published, said it was an “unbelievable and heartbreaking time” for everyone.
“We wish we had one last chance to say goodbye or even just tell him how much we love and miss him. He had a beautiful heart and not a day goes by we don’t think of him.”
On Tuesday, February 13, Rotorua police were alerted after someone thought they heard a person fall into a hot pool in a geothermal reserve in the Fenton Park and Whakarewarewa areas.
The hot pool feeds into the popular Puarenga Stream that flows through the Whakarewarewa and Fenton Park suburbs, to Ngāpuna and Lake Rotorua.
The pool is in a fenced-off area and a pathway leading to the pool has a large gate with a sign on it reading: “Danger. Do not enter”.
Rotorua police detectives and search and rescue squad members have been working hard to prove suspicions a man had fallen into the scorching hot pool.
Police have said they were confident of the man’s identity and a missing person’s file had been created. Police have said there were no suspicious circumstances.
The search is hampered because the pool contains near-boiling water and there were geothermal eruption risks if land nearby was disturbed, police have said.
Dawn said Easter Sunday was especially challenging for the family as it would have been Matt’s 26th birthday.
“We celebrated his birthday on Easter Sunday and it’s still unbelievable and a heartbreaking time for everyone.”
She said Matt had lived most of his life in Australia and had only moved to Rotorua in the past year.
Dawn said he wasn’t known to visit
He had a beautiful heart and not a day goes by we don’t think of him.
Dawn, Matt’s sister
this particular geothermal pool, and the family believed it was his first visit.
Some family members had come to Rotorua from Australia during the past few weeks. Red flowers had been placed on the side of the hot pool from the family, she said.
Dawn said the family appreciated the police efforts to give the family answers.
“We understand it’s been a difficult task and we remain patient to ensure the search is conducted thoroughly. It’s comforting to know they’re still doing everything they can and they have our full support. Our prayers are with them and we hope they find answers soon,” she said.
The search effort
Inspector Phil Gillbanks, who oversees the Search and Rescue Squad, said the search operation had
Colin Thorne is set to pull the curtain on his Red Stag Rotorua Marathon journey next month as the 100-year-old gets set to participate in the 5.5km race.
The Whangārei-based runner has a long history with the iconic race, completing 22 full Rotorua marathons, the most recent being in 2014 when the former dairy farmer was 90, Athletics NZ said in a statement.
He turned 100 in January and soon afterwards completed his 175th park run, cheered on by about 400 people at a special event in his honour.
His next big goal is to compete over the 5.5km distance as part of the 60thanniversary of the marathon – which he believed was the perfect opportunity to sign off his longstanding history with the Rotorua event.
“I’m suffering a bit now,” Thorne said.
“I had a knee replacement 18 years ago and my right hip has worn away and I also only walk these days.
“But as it is the 60th anniversary, I thought I’ll do the 5.5km walk, that will be long enough. I’m looking forward to it.”
A former hockey umpire, Thorne only took up running at the age of 64 to “do something for himself” and he joined the local Hatea Harriers.
Immediately hooked within his first year of running, he completed his first marathon in Whangārei and on the encouragement of a friend he completed his maiden Rotorua marathon in 1989.
Having competed almost half of his 50 marathons in Rotorua, Thorne has a close affinity with the event.
“There is something about Rotorua, it holds a certain attraction.
“The hills out the back are a challenge. Rotorua is always something special, although I think a full marathon would be a bit far for me today.”
Thorne recorded his fastest Rotorua marathon time of 3:28.33 as a 68-year-old in 1992.
Thorne has modest goals for the 2024 event, planning on walking the race with his daughter, Pauline Dinsdale and his son-in-law Rob.
“I’ve been walking a lot of park runs so I can probably comfortably do the 5km.
“But I’d rather do that than strain myself completing the 10km. I realise I’m a bit old now, but I’ve been very blessed and I’m very lucky to still be entering races.”
The great-great grandfather admitted he “broke down in tears” after completing his first Rotorua marathon and while he will not be quite as emotional when he crosses the finish line next month, he hopes his presence at the 60th anniversary event will act as a spur to others.
“Hopefully it will encourage others to get off their backside and go out for a run, that is what I would love to see.”
I realise I’m a bit old now, but I’ve been very blessed and I’m very lucky to still be entering
races.