Alan Pritchard was last seen at the gate of his Bonshaw Park residence, 6km east of Taupo, at 9.15am on Thursday. LandSAR volunteers, Police with rescue dogs, Taupo Civil Defence Response Team and Taupo Rural Fire have been involved in the search for Pritchard. The Taupo-based Greenlea Rescue helicopter was also used on Friday morning to search forestry and farmland adjacent to Bonshaw Park. Police are concerned for the safety of a 78-year-old Taupo Alzheimers sufferer who has not been seen since putting his rubbish bin out three days ago. "Searchers have experienced challenging weather conditions, terrain and vegetation in the area around Bonshaw Park, and our concern for Mr Pritchard's safety continues to grow," Senior Constable Barry Shepherd of Taupo Police said.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 16, 2016 09:38 UTC