Missing Gore man found after six hour search

Attribute to Sergeant Chris Dunbar, Gore Police.

A missing gentleman had been found safe and well in Gore after he was noticed missing on Wednesday night just before dark.

The man, aged 74, left an address on McKellar Street at around 6pm.

He was unfamiliar to the area prompting family and friends to fear for his safety and contact the Police.

Shortly after midnight, a father and daughter duo who had joined in the search with the community located the missing man near Terry Road and returned him safely.

Police would like to thank everyone involved in this operation.

"We were impressed with the cohesive nature of our teams and the public who worked together to help find him."

Police are particularly grateful to the family, wider community, LandSAR members, the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Team (AREC) Gore and Invercargill Police as well as Police and SAR dog handlers who assisted.

Search teams and the community responded with urgency with the weather being forecasted to deteriorate.

We are grateful to reunite this man with his family.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone involved for giving up their time and providing their expertise but especially the members of public who located him and took swift action contacting police and returning him safely.

Message on behalf of the man's whānau:

"A huge thank you to the community - it is unbelievable the amount of people who got involved to help. The social media response was so positive and outstanding."

ENDS

If your loved ones go missing, you can find out more via the website Safer Walking New Zealand: http://saferwalking.nz

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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