With today’s extensive ground and air search of the Lenah Valley area failing to locate missing man, Elson Kiddle, police are asking boat owners in the greater Hobart area to check their boats as the scope of the search expands.

“Police and volunteers have now extensively searched by air and land for two days around where Elson’s white Toyota Hilux ute was located on Lumeah Avenue yesterday,” said Acting Inspector Damien George.

“Today 130 police, police recruits, SES, family and volunteers conducted a comprehensive line-search of around six square kilometres of bushland behind Lumeah Avenue, and surrounding gullies in the greater Lenah Valley area, but unfortunately no trace of Elson was found.

“We know that Elson is acting out of character and with his passion for boating, we are asking boat owners in the greater Hobart area to check their boats for the chance he may be there.

“To all those within our community that have assisted in the search to locate Elson – from the many volunteers searching, to the ultra-marathon runners who ran the tracks for 26 kilometres, the man who rode his mountain bike overnight from Franklin to Lenah Valley and everywhere in between, to the local businesses who have generously donated food to fuel those searching – thank you.

“If you’re out and about, please keep Elson in your thoughts – he parked his vehicle in Lenah Valley on Friday – if you’ve seen him or someone you think may be him since then, please contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.”

Elson was last seen leaving his West Moonah home at 11am last Friday, 9 November. He is described as around 170cm tall, slim build, white hair, green eyes and tanned complexion.

For members of the general public wishing to volunteer with the search, at this stage, we have sufficient resources for tomorrow.