POLICE
Gregory Flavell, 18, has been missing since Wednesday. His whānau on Sunday thanked those who were looking for him.
The 18-year-old kayaker missing in Lake Rotorua has been named as Gregory Flavell.
The search for Flavell entered its fourth full day on Sunday, after he went missing between 3 p.m. Wednesday, while kayaking on the east side of Mokoia Island.
Police said naval divers using sonar equipment worked on Lake Rotorua all Sunday, but “unfortunately nothing of interest has been found yet”.
The search would be reviewed on Sunday evening and the next steps considered.
Police said some searches would take place along the shore of the lake on Monday.
MATTHEW MARTIN/Waikato Times
Flavell was last seen Wednesday afternoon when he went kayaking on the east side of the lake.
Law enforcement previously recovered Flavell’s orange and blue kayak and urgently requested sightings of the teen who may have been seen out of the lake or in the water.
In particular, officers wanted to speak to the occupants of a vessel that left Mokoia Island between 2 and 5 p.m. Wednesday.
An explanation of Flavell’s whānau on Sunday evening said they wanted to express “our huge appreciation” to all the services and many volunteers who were looking for him.
Flavell is Māori, about six feet tall, with wavy hair to the shoulders, and has a light mustache and a goatee, his family said.
He was wearing black cargo pants, a printed long-sleeved black T-shirt with the number 53 on the sleeve, and a dark blue cap.
If you have seen Flavell or have any information about Flavell, please contact the police on 105 and quote track number P051519937.