Eli’s family are flying out to help the search
Eli Sweeting (Image: Supplied/ NZHerald)
The family of a Bristol man who vanished after a hike in New Zealand are flying across the world to help find him.
Eli Sweeting was reported as missing on Sunday evening (May 4) after he did not return home from a solo day trip at Mitre Peak in Milford Sound.
The family of Eli, who moved from Bristol to Port Motueka, are now flying out to assist with search efforts, reports the New Zealand Herald.
However, recent poor weather in the area has complicated the effort to locate him.
The search was temporarily suspended today (May 8) due to weather conditions in the region and is planned to resume tomorrow.
His sister, Serena Sweeting, said the family were due to arrive on Friday to join the search.
In a post on social media, Serena said: ““This is an incredibly worrying time.
“Thank you so so much to everyone out there looking for Eli.
“I feel so hopeless being so far away but it’s reassuring the effort going in to find him.
“If anyone spoke to him please reach out to the police with information.”
Local police said that search teams were mindful of the difficult terrain and weather warnings.
Detective Tracy Ward said a large number of resources had been working through arduous terrain, supported by helicopter crews.
Detective Ward said: “There is also a huge amount of local support being provided by tourism operator Real NZ at Milford Sound.
“Roughly 60 search and rescue volunteers, 10 police staff and numerous helicopter and tourism staff are working hard to find the missing man.
”The search area is relatively contained but incredibly rugged and difficult to navigate once off the track.
“At times, the search teams are only able to progress 250 metres in an hour.
“While no items of interest have been positively linked to the missing man, a number of clues are being followed up on, and we remain hopeful that there will be a positive outcome.
“The man we are looking for is experienced in the outdoors, and we believe he has suitable clothing and provisions, which can make all the difference.”
The search is being supported by Land Search and Rescue teams from Fiordland, Catlins, Tokonui, Clutha, and Southland, Southern Lakes Helicopters, Heli-Otago, Southland Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, specialised Search and Rescue dogs from both Wakatipu and Dunedin, and Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue teams.