Tuesday, November 21, 2017
FORMER Eastern Bay man Nigel Peterson has been missing since Friday afternoon and his family fears for his wellbeing. Photo supplied
Haylee King
FORMER Opotiki man Nigel Peterson has not been seen since Friday afternoon and could be trying to make his way to the Eastern Bay.
The 33-year-old was last seen around 3pm last Friday on Otonga Road, heading towards Old Taupo Road, Rotorua.
The autistic man was living in Rotorua under Geneva Healthcare’s independent living programme where he was under 24-hour supervision.
His father, Opotiki veterinarian Chris Peterson said his son had been living in Rotorua for the past three years and had recently moved homes.
“It was a very happy home; he loved it so much and he was looked after wonderfully. When he moved, he thought he was being taken away from that.”
Mr Peterson said on the day his son went missing, he had had a “wonderful morning” and was in a “really good state”.
He said his son ran from his caregiver in the driveway of his new home and believed he “panicked and got himself into trouble”.
The family, along with hundreds of support people, spent the weekend searching Rotorua.
With no official sightings in Rotorua, Mr Peterson’s family were exploring all possibilities and believed he could have travelled to Whakatane.
Mr Peterson said his son travelled back to Whakatane each month and spent weekends with his family so it was possible he was trying to get home.
“We think he might be trying to get back to Whakatane, but he wouldn’t know how to because he isn’t functional enough to be able to do it.
“Maybe someone did give him a ride. He could have asked someone to take him to Whakatane but he would not know how to get to my place.”
Another option was that he could have gone to surrounding farmland.
Having grown up in Opotiki, Mr Peterson said his son was comfortable with farms.
“If he hasn’t turned up after three days in town, maybe he has gone out of town.”
Mr Peterson said his son did not approach strangers well and was wary of people he did not know. “He is vulnerable and can’t tell if someone is a good or bad person.”
Mr Peterson said his son would be quite distressed and feared that when he was found, he would be in a bad way, possibly injured or hurt.
He was also on daily medication and three days without medication would get him into strife.
“He isn’t a threat to anybody, only himself,” Mr Peterson said.
Police search and rescue teams were out yesterday looking for Mr Peterson.
A police spokeswoman urged people to call 111 immediately if they see the missing man.
She said police continued to make inquiries to find Mr Peterson and Search and Rescue teams were concentrating on waterways, bridges and yard and shed searches radiating out from where he lives.