Alex Fisher still missing

“Did you see either Alex or Eric together or by themselves?”

The search will be postponed as it becomes dark before resuming again on Thursday.

Inspector Stewart said despite 48-hours having passed, the focus of the search for Alex had not switched to one of recovery. “We are continuing the search until darkness and then we will stop, because as we have seen today, it’s a very hard searching area in places and our best chance of success is working through the daylight hours”.

He had been with a family member, but apparently got separated from them. “We appreciate the efforts and support from friends, family members and the public”, the family added. “At this time we request that our privacy is respected as we gather together at this hard time”.

The police were alerted to his absence when they received a phone call at about 4am on Tuesday morning.

Alexander Fisher went missing from the domain near the forest and a search and rescue operation began yesterday afternoon, however they failed to find him overnight.

People arrived back at Alex’s home at about 2pm on Wednesday but shut the front gate behind them and would not comment.

The arrest comes hours after police announced there was no foul play.

“Obviously for us the concern is growing, if he doesn’t have his asthma inhaler with him his health is of concern”, she told a news conference shortly after midday.

He carried an asthma inhaler on him and at times needs to use it, she said.

Police had collected a large number of items from a “well used and frequented part of the forest” and were examining them to see if they related to Alex or not.

Police say the search for a missing 10-year-old boy is a search and rescue mission only. He could also have a green/blue puffer jacket and light grey tracksuit trousers with him.

Manawatu district search and rescue coordinator Sergeant Bill Nicholson is leading the effort to find Alex and explains the terrain the searchers are working in.

The foot search continued through the night and the helicopter search recommenced at first light using infra-red technology.

“I run in the south forest and our children play in the domain…it’s very safe in Waitarere”.

Police doorknock residents on Kahukura Ave, Waitarere Beach.