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NYE COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE / Supplied
Former Timaru James “Kiwi” Oroc man Greg Johnston disappeared while paragliding southwest of the small Nevada town of Eureka on Saturday (US time).
The family of a Kiwi man who disappeared in Nevada while paragliding last weekend is hoping for a miracle.
Kelly Johnston of Timaru said family members were grateful to those who have volunteered their time to search for his brother James “Kiwi” Oroc Greg Johnston since he disappeared southwest of Eureka, Nevada on August 23 ( New Zealand time).
“Our brother is an extraordinary human being who has survived many adventures in the past where things have gone to the limit. As his friends and family know, if anyone can get out of this situation with a story to tell, it is him, ”said Kelly Johnston.
Johnston said the search for his brother continued on “very rugged and difficult terrain.”
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“There are a lot of ground personnel working 24 hours a day. The technical support looking for satellite imagery / mapping and drone footage has been incredible both locally and throughout the United States and beyond. “
He said the family was “deeply grateful” to those involved in the search who are volunteering their support.
James “Kiwi” Oroc Greg Johnston’s last follow-up point was Saturday, August 22 at 2.14pm (9am, August 23, New Zealand time) when he was paragliding southwest of Eureka in Nevada.
Two other pilots, who were part of his group, notified authorities after receiving no contact from him for 24 hours.
Kelly Johnston said that a GoFundMe page had been created to raise funds to help pay for the search.
“We are grateful for each and every donation, but we need the funds to keep coming in so the intensive search can continue for our brother.”
By Monday morning, $ 90,203 had been raised. The page has a goal of raising $ 150,000.
NYE COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE / Supplied
A land and air search is underway in Nevada for the missing paraglider James “Kiwi” Oroc Greg Johnston.
An update posted to the page on Monday morning (New Zealand time) says that local counties and sheriffs are no longer active in the search.
“Any subsequent search must be managed and coordinated internally by our team on the ground. They allow us to continue our search, since we have shown that we are responsible and we are tracking all our movements, without increasing the risk of another SAR (search and rescue) ”.
The post says the 15-person team continuing to search the ground for Johnston requires help, including from experienced hikers, those with ATVs and air support.
“The area where James could have landed is 200 miles long. [322 kilometres]. We have been using satellite imagery in addition to the knowledge and guidance of professional paragliding pilots, taking into account all possible conditions and flight paths. It’s just a lot of ground to cover. “
Johnston has been involved in paragliding for approximately 30 years and has searched for other paragliders lost in the past.
According to an online blog from Johnston, he is a journalist, photographer and artist, who has been “chasing” and “reporting” on extreme sports for magazines, movies, and MTV Sports in more than 40 countries since 1998.
