NEW ZEALAND - Eli Sweeting, 25, Brit ex-pat, didn't return from hike Mitre Peak near Milford Sound, South Island, 4 May 2025

[MsMiniSleuth]

A major search and rescue operation has been launched for a British man who didn't return from a solo mountain expedition in New Zealand.

Eli Sweeting, 25, sparked concern on Sunday when he failed to return from a trip up the mile-high Mitre Peak near Milford Sound.

Around 60 search and rescue volunteers as well as 10 police officers supported by helicopters have been scouring the area but rescue efforts were halted earlier today due to bad weather and difficult terrain but are set to resume tomorrow.

Brit, 25, missing in NZ after solo adventure up mountain peak

Eli Sweeting, 25, sparked concern on Sunday when he failed to return from a trip up the mile-high Mitre Peak near Milford Sound.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The search for a missing tramper in Milford Sound will resume on Friday.

British man Eli Sweeting failed to return from a day trip to climb Mitre Peak on Sunday.

The search was called off on Thursday due to bad weather, but police said their efforts would resume on Friday, with fine conditions forecast.

Search resumes for missing British tramper Eli Sweeting

The search was called off on Thursday due to bad weather, but conditions have improved.

www.rnz.co.nz

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The family of a British man missing in Fiordland are flying to New Zealand to assist the search, as poor weather continues to complicate efforts to find him.

Eli Sweeting, who lives in Port Motueka and is originally from Bristol, was reported missing late on Sunday night after failing to return from a solo day trip to Mitre Peak in Milford Sound.

[...]

Police previously told NZME that search teams were mindful of the tricky terrain and weather warnings, which could potentially hamper search efforts.

Missing hiker: Family of British man to join search in Fiordland

Eli Sweeting was reported missing late on Sunday.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The family of British hiker Eli Sweeting say a light was spotted on a descent route in the area he went missing in.

[...]

A Go Fund Me page has been launched by a friend of the family to raise funds for the ongoing search, with donations sought to support local search and rescue teams, drone operations, and the costs faced by Eli‘s family, who have flown from the UK to Milford Sound to assist with the effort.

[...]

According to the family, a light was spotted along the descent route earlier in the week, prompting concentrated search efforts in that area.

[...]

'We just want him home safe': Light spotted on route where hiker went missing; family speaks

A family member says the search is concentrated on the area the light was spotted.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Former colleagues of missing tramper Eli Sweeting are "raw with emotion", waiting "with bated breath" for any news of their friend.

The British 25-year-old failed to return from a day trip to climb Mitre Peak, in Milford Sound, last Sunday, and police have been combing the area for him for the past week.

In the past few days, a light was spotted near where he went missing, and the search has been focused there.

Wilsons Abel Tasman chief executive officer Darryl Wilson, of Nelson, said Eli had been working for him on one of his cruise boats, from December last year until last month, and described him as "the life and soul of the party".

"He was great with customers, a very outgoing individual, and he was a credit to himself, our organisation and his family.

"He’s the kind of guy that can make friends with anyone, and there’s never a dull moment when he is around.

"He’s the life and soul of the party. He had quite a nice night on the dance floor, the last time I saw him on it."

Emotions raw as search continues

Former colleagues of missing tramper Eli Sweeting are "raw with emotion", waiting "with bated breath" for any news of their friend. The British 25...

www.odt.co.nz

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Police say they remain positive as a search in Milford Sound for a missing tramper resumes today.

Briton Eli Sweeting, 25, failed to return from a day trip to climb Mitre Peak last Sunday, and police have been combing the area for him for the past week, as conditions allow.

Police this morning said a Land Search and Rescue team stayed near Mitre Peak overnight to make an early start today.

"While the tramper has not yet been located, Police remain positive as the search remains ongoing."

Police 'remain positive' as search for tramper resumes

Police say they remain positive as a search in Milford Sound for a missing tramper resumes today. Emotions raw as search continues Briton Eli...

www.odt.co.nz

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A large-scale rescue operation is underway for a British hiker who went missing in New Zealand a week ago.

Around 40 search and rescue volunteers are searching for Eli Sweeting, who is originally from Bristol.

The 25-year-old was reported missing on 4 May after failing to return home from a hike up Mitre Peak, New Zealand.

The 5,560-foot mountain is close to the shore of Milford Sound, in the Fiordland National Park on the country's South Island.

Urgent appeal for ‘kindest and compassionate’ Brit missing in New Zealand for a week

Around 40 search and rescue volunteers are searching for Eli Sweeting, 25, who is originally from Bristol

www.independent.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Search efforts for a British hiker who has been missing for more than a week in New Zealand have been "paused", police have said.

Eli Sweeting, 25, who is originally from Bristol, was reported missing on 4 May after failing to return from a solo hike up Mitre Peak, a steep mountain on the country's South Island.

A large-scale search was launched with teams of local volunteers alongside helicopters and search dogs, and some of his family flying out to help.

But on Monday afternoon, local time, Insp Matt Scoles, acting commander for the district, said police had made the "difficult decision" to pause search efforts.

"We have been supporting the tramper's [hiker's] family and we know this is difficult news for them to hear at what has been an incredibly distressing time," he said.

"While the search has now been paused, we will be reviewing our efforts and looking to see if there is anything further we can do."

Eli Sweeting: New Zealand police 'pause' search for missing hiker

Eli Sweeting was reported missing on 4 May after failing to return from a solo hike.

www.bbc.co.uk