Jessica O’Connor. PHOTO/FILE
$14k raised for LandSAR
The search for two trampers missing in Tasman’s Kahurangi National Park has been suspended due to poor weather conditions.
Police suspended the search for former St Matthew’s Collegiate student Jessica O’Connor and Dion Reynolds on Monday due to “unfavourable conditions” which meant both air and land-based searches were unsafe.
Meanwhile a Givealittle page started by O’Connor’s brother, Dominic, has raised close to $14,000 for LandSAR [Search and Rescue] since launching on Sunday.
On the page he said that LandSAR volunteers had “selflessly” supported the effort to return both trampers to their families.
“Although this doesn’t come close to repaying the work being done by LandSAR – along with the Police, Defence Force and Fire Service – I hope that it can at least convey the immense amount of gratitude of Jessica’s family, Dion’s family and all their friends.”
He said the family took some solace from the commitment and hard work of the emergency response efforts.
At the time of print, the page had raised $13,742.
Planning was under way for teams to return to the field once conditions improved.
O’Connor and Reynolds entered the park on May 9. The search began last Tuesday.
