Antony Farrell. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
MARY ARGUE
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Concern mounts for missing Wellington man Antony Farrell, whose last confirmed sighting was in Masterton four days ago.
The 52-year-old was last seen on Te Ore Ore Rd about 2am on January 31, and after an extensive search, police are appealing to the public for information.
Wairarapa Police Area Commander Scott Miller said the search had concentrated heavily on Lake Ferry and the surrounding coastline where Farrell’s vehicle was located.
A member of the public had reported seeing a man matching Farrell’s description, bearded, 168cm tall, near Pirinoa before 7am, Tuesday, February 1.
Miller said the report added another avenue of investigation, and police wanted to hear from anyone in the Lake Ferry area near Pirinoa South at that time.
“Police and his family have concerns for his safety and well-being.
“He has come over specifically from Wellington to Wairarapa. It’s unusual for someone to park their car and to not be able to locate them after that,” he said.
Miller said police and Search and Rescue had conducted “extensive searches” in the past three days, including the police launch Lady Elizabeth on the coast.
He said “local boaties” were also keeping an eye out.
“It’s a lot of people. The guy has disappeared, and we want to find him, obviously, but we don’t know where he is.”
Acting Senior Sargent Response Manager for Wairarapa Police Richard Day was overseeing the search for Farrell and said his family was “extremely worried”.
He said inquiries into a sighting of a man matching Farrell’s description in Masterton on Wednesday at 10:30am had been ruled out.
“We are confident that it was not our missing person.”
Day said on Wednesday Riversdale Surf Life Club had joined the effort to find Farrell.
Riversdale Surf Life Club chairman Dave Rose confirmed four senior lifeguards would be at Lake Ferry assisting police.
Miller would not comment on Farrell’s state of mind or mental health but reiterated pleas for public assistance.
“It’s very important that anyone who has information, or believes they have seen a man of his description, immediately contacts police.”
