Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police want to acknowledge the tireless contribution and massive response of volunteers and members of the public who have helped search recently for two Northland men, who went missing in separate incidents.
The search for 72-year-old Whangārei man Brian Bench was the largest search operation conducted in the Northland area in the last 17 years.
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During the five-day search, helicopters and sniffer dogs were brought in to help and volunteers scoured backyards, streets and waterways.
Mr Bench, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, was discovered by Police staff off a walking track on Mount Parihaka and sadly, despite their efforts, he passed away at the scene.
NZ Police/Supplied
Charles Chaz Strange was reported missing from Whangaroa Marina on Sunday, and police found a body in their search on Monday evening. Strange s body was found in the water on Monday. Head of Northland police’s Search and Rescue Squad, Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe, said in both cases the contribution from the public and volunteers were crucial in finding the missing men and being able to return them to their families. “The community rallies in these sorts of times of adversity, and police really appreciate the support, he said. “It’s not the results we were hoping for, but we were able to return these loved ones to their families, for which they were very grateful.”