Mark James: Port Macquarie police still hopeful of finding man alive with search to enter day three
Police say that mental health is not a factor in the disappearance of missing Port Macquarie man Mark James, who was last seen on Friday night. A search for the 56-year-old will enter a third day tomorrow if he is not located before then.
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Police say they are still hopeful of finding missing Port Macquarie man Mark James alive, more than 43 hours after he was reported as missing.
The joint search and rescue effort, involving more than 53 people from police, State Emergency Services and Marine Area Command, will move into a third straight day on Monday if Mr James, 56, is not found by dusk on Sunday.
Chief Inspector Michael Aldridge from Port Macquarie police said mental health was not a factor in his disappearance.
“Mental health with this particular gentleman is not a factor,” he said.
“At this point we are still searching for a missing person.
“Not being seen for this period of time is highly unusual [for Mr James] … it definitely is concerning. It’s highly unlike him and he normally keeps in contact with somebody in his family, so there is concerns obviously for his health not being seen for that time.
“His Toyota Rav 4 was located at Tacking Point Lighthouse which is an area he doesn’t normally go to.”
Mr James has was reported missing on Friday night, and the report of his abandoned Rav 4 is the only information that has since come to light regarding his whereabouts.
The area, Mr Aldridge said, is a steep and challenging stretch of coastline with treacherous surf and rough bushland.
“This is an area, as everybody knows, if you go in any direction it can be dangerous, including the bushland, the beaches and the ocean.
“If he is in that area, we will hopefully locate him.”
Today’s search efforts have been heavily focused on water near to where Mr James went missing. The marine area command and water police from Coffs Harbour are still out searching this afternoon.
“Today water police have been involved and the Marine Area Command are overseeing the search around water. It will continue today and I’d say into tomorrow as well.”
Mr James is married with a family in Port Macquarie.
Police have been in regular contact with his family.
“We have spoken to the family again this morning and they have visited the scene on a number of occasions and we are keeping them up to date on everything we are doing at the moment.”
Mr Aldridge said it was ultimately up to the Marine Area Command as to how long the search would continue.
“We do plan on continuing the search. It will be ultimately considered by NSW Rescue and Marine Area Command how long the search goes for, but it is anticipated that we will be searching into tomorrow.”
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.