Man not located despite wide search
Sue Wards / Wānaka App
The police say a missing man has not been located, despite a large-scale search of the Rob Roy Stream area yesterday (Tuesday, February 11).
Argentinian backpacker Hector Gaston Artigau, 21, has been missing at Mt Aspiring National park since last Thursday (February 6), when a friend he had been hiking with saw him fall from a rock into the river.
Police and Wānaka Search and Rescue (SAR) carried out extensive planning and preparation on Monday for a large-scale search which began at 7am yesterday.
The search included an aerial scan of the Rob Rob Stream area using underwater cameras, and searchers included police and specialty search and rescue units such as Land SAR canyon, river rescue, and sub alpine SAR.
“We have yet to exhaust every conceivable possibility and will endeavour to do this to our full capability,” a police spokesperson said on Monday.
A spokesperson confirmed at 5pm yesterday that the man had not been located.
The man was seen falling from a rock into the Rob Roy Stream. Photo: Wānaka App
Meanwhile a Givealittle page has raised over $11,000 to bring Artigau’s mother from Argentina to Wānaka.
Erin Bennie of Leaning Rock Cherries in Alexandra set up the fundraiser.
“Myself, friends, co-workers are trying to organise financial aid to help his mother come to New Zealand to be closer to the search for her son,” Erin said.
“The money will be used to go towards flights, visa, translator, and other associated costs.”
Erin said Hector worked the cherry season at the orchard.
“He was a valued team member, we would like to do whatever we can to help his mum,” she said.
