Family and friends plan large-scale search for missing man

Thursday, 2 November 2017

Colin Ross, 53, was last seen in Blenheim on October 25.

Family and friends of a man missing in Marlborough for more than a week are planning a large-scale search over the weekend as fears grow for his safety.

Colin Ross, 53, was last seen near the Blenheim town centre, close to the fire station, about 5pm on October 25.

Ross's friend Angelina Yve Grace said a group of close friends and family hoped to gather up to 30 people to search for Ross over the weekend.

A helicopter search, paid for by Yve Grace's father John Young, on Wednesday afternoon failed to find Ross.

'We're looking at doing a group search, split into smaller groups and look across the weekend,' Yve Grace said.

Yve Grace also hoped police would intensify the search for Ross, more than a week after his disappearance.

'It's actually been terrible that the police have not been prepared to search earlier,' Yve Grace said.

Police said Ross could be in a red or maroon-coloured 1996 Toyota RAV 4, with the number plate AJY133.

The vehicle was also last seen in Blenheim's town centre on October 25 about 5pm.

Ross lived in the Waihopai Valley, about 30 kilometres southwest of Blenheim.

Family and friends planned to search the walking tracks around the Waihopai Valley, as Ross was a keen walker, Yve Grace said.

The helicopter search also focused on the walking tracks, she said.

'The pilot was really nice and we went for longer [than expected], we couldn't find his car or any of his belongings,' Yve Grace said.

Yve Grace said Ross's disappearance was completely out of character and he left his phone behind.

'I've been really upset, he's quite an outdoors person … it's not like him to leave his phone behind unless he's going for a walk where there is no phone reception.

Ross was the 'life of the party' and was always helping others in the community, Yve Grace said.

'He used to teach with me at the Wairau Community Clinic and you would never catch him having a bad day.'

Yve Grace thanked the community for its support. 'The community has been awesome, we have received so many messages from them.'

Yve Grace said friends and family welcomed donations to help pay for the search.

Police said they were following up on information on Ross's whereabouts as it came in, with other police in the South Island also making enquiries.

'Police have searched many areas in Marlborough and have been assisted by the public and family as well,' police said.

Police also said members of the public had assisted them in the search for Ross near Takaka.

Anyone with information should contact Blenheim police on 03 578 5279.

Alternatively, anonymous tips can be passed on to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.