Body of missing NZ pilot found in Tai Po
Regina Leung
5:55pm, Aug 11, 2010
After several days of searches, police and rescue teams on Wednesday afternoon found the body of a missing Air New Zealand pilot in Pat Sin Leng Country Park in Tai Po, a police spokesman said.
Stephen John Morrissey, 51 went missing last Wednesday while hiking in the area with a fellow pilot from the airline.
About 2.40pm, police found his body down a hillside near a lake in Pat Sin Leng Country Park.
Police contacted Morrissey's family and friends, who identified the body on Wednesday afternoon. The New Zealander’s mobile phone, camera and a backpack were found near his body, local media reported.
Morrissey went hiking from Tai Po to Pat Sin Leng Country Park with Captain Mark Apperley last Wednesday morning.
Apperley said that when they reached Spring Breeze Pavilion, a rain shelter on the southern slope of Hsien Ku Fung, the pair separated. This was because Morrisey ran out of water and wanted to buy some from below a nearby hill, Apperley said.
The men had arranged to meet at a bus stop in Wong Chuk Tsuen. But after waiting for some time, Apperley returned to his hotel and called police on Wednesday evening.
Police, Government Flying Service officers and sniffer dogs began searching for Morrissey last Thursday. They took recent photos of the pilot and placed notices with his photo at points along the country park.
Members of Morrissey’s family and friends joined in the search which continued over the weekend until Wednesday.