"UPDATE: Search for two men lost in forest"

The search for two men missing in the Tongariro National Park (previously reported as the Kaimanawa Forest) has continued without success today.

The men are believed to be missing at the far eastern edge of the Tongariro National Park.

Five search teams, including two search and rescue dogs, have been searching the forest area today continuing on from the search which started on Sunday.

While searchers were able to make voice contact with the missing pair yesterday afternoon it was only for a short time and the pair then stopped responding making it impossible for the searchers to find them.

Today search teams have found an area where a fire had recently been lit and also some clothing however nothing further has been located.

The search will continue today until it is too dark and then the situation will be reassessed.

The search area is in very dense bush which is very hard to push through.

While a helicopter has been on stand-by it has been unable to assist with the search due to the weather conditions.

“The longer these young men are out there ill-prepared in a bush environment with adverse weather conditions the less likely it is there will be a successful outcome,” said Bay of Plenty Operations Manager, Inspector Kevin Taylor.

ENDS

© Scoop Media