Search for missing Briton reaches dead end, but effort continues

British tourist, Gareth David Huntley, 34, has gone missing for a week and the search for him seems to have reached a dead end.

Nevertheless, the search and rescue effort of the volunteer at the Juara Turtle Centre is being intensified with additional personnel and assets.

Pahang police chief, Datuk Sharifuddin Ab Ghani said the search area had been expanded to seven square kilometres from the location Huntley was reported missing at the Lubuk Teja Waterfall area in Kampung Juara, here, on May 27.

He said the number of search-and-rescue (SAR) personnel now stood at 154, from the state police, marine police, Rela, army, Fire and Rescue Department and others.

"We have also added four more dogs, namely, two from the K9 Unit and two more from the Fire and Rescue Department, bringing the total number to seven, (to help in the search)," he told reporters after visiting the location Huntley was reported missing at the waterfall area, Tuesday.

He said 20 members of VAT 69 from the Hulu Kinta Camp, Perak would join the mission to look for the victim, and to date, the SAR operation was at its optimum.

Meanwhile, Huntley's mother, Janet Southwell, in her 50s, said she was satisfied with the efforts of the security forces in looking for her son.

The woman, who arrived here yesterday from Britain, said she could only pray and hope that his son, second of three siblings, would soon be found safe.

She said her son was expected to start his new job in Singapore next week, and was spending his holiday in Pulau Tioman for 10 days by volunteering at the Juara Turtle Centre.

"The last time I spoke to him was 10 days ago," she added.