Family hopeful man still alive - Otago Daily Times

The family of a missing Omarama man is ''still very, very hopeful'' he is alive because he took the dog he loves with him. Rod Murdoch (71), was last seen on Thursday morning exercising his grey and white giant schnauzer, Bud, next to his Toyota Hilux heading towards the Ahuriri River then letting him into the utility. His daughter Julie and her husband Bruce Dyson live next door to Mr Murdoch in Omarama. Mr Dyson said his wife, and Mr Murdoch's other child Darren, were concerned about his safety, but ''still very, very hopeful'' of a positive outcome. Mr Murdoch has declining health, is not mobile without a walking frame but ''a very capable driver''. ''But not everyone knew that,'' Mr Dyson said, ''and he would only pick up snatches of what they were saying. That person sent a text to Mrs Dyson about 9. 30am, but she did not see it until a couple of hours later. Mr Murdoch was seen later exercising his dog as usual, by having him run alongside the vehicle as he drove it towards the Ahuriri River. The family had no idea where he could have gone and Mr Dyson said he was capable of driving as far as the fuel took him. Source: www.odt.co.nz