Police fears for the safety of an elderly man reported missing from Cromwell on Tuesday have been allayed after two sightings of him.
They had been concerned about the wellbeing of Aucklander John Alloway (70), who had been visiting Cromwell for several days for a tangi and had not been seen since early Tuesday.
He had a medical condition and his disappearance was out of character.
''We believe now he's making his own way home, working his way up the South Island,'' Acting Detective Sergeant Alan Lee said yesterday.
A member of the public had seen Mr Alloway at Tarras on Tuesday and he was also seen north of Christchurch yesterday.
''We're satisfied he's heading home and although we haven't located him yet, or been able to speak to him, we're checking his bank account is being used and he was in a good state when last spoken to by a member of the public, so we no longer hold fears for his wellbeing,'' Acting Det Sgt Lee said.
