Rented van of missing Ottawa couple found down bluff in New Zealand: reports

HAAST, New Zealand – New Zealand media reports say parts of a wrecked vehicle that had been rented by a missing Ottawa couple have been found in a rugged area on the west coast of the country.

The New Zealand Herald says the rear wheels and chassis of a van rented by Connor Hayes, 25, and Joanna Lam, 24, were spotted by a police officer down a bank today.

Reports say the pair were last seen at Fox Glacier on Sept. 10.

The Herald says Lam was due to start working at the radiology department at Nelson District Health Board on Monday.

Police said the wrecked van parts were found about 80 metres down a bluff in the Haast River off the Haast Pass road. The vehicle’s body and engine have not been found.

Media reports said a landslide last week had forced the closure of a state highway in the area.

“At this stage police do not know whether Miss Lam and Mr Hayes were in the vehicle when it left the road,” said a police statement quoted by New Zealand media.

Searchers were planning to make their way up the Haast River on foot and in jet boats at first light. A helicopter would also be used to search the area.