Race to find hiker five days out

Rescuers are racing against time to locate a 57-year-old hiker missing for five days amid fears for his condition.

Ning Kwok-leung, 57, left his Wong Tai Sin home for a hike on West Buffalo Hill to the east of Sha Tin early Wednesday.

Voluntary searchers said Ning managed to contact family members by phone on Saturday morning, but his phone was running low on battery and he was unable to report his location.

He was also in a poor physical state as he was unable to stand and experiencing dehydration.

His family lodged a report with the police late on Wednesday after not being able to get in touch with Ning since he left his home in King Fuk Street in the early hours of Wednesday.

About 1.65 meters tall and medium build, Ning has a long face with yellow complexion and short white hair, and was last seen wearing a pair of glasses, an orange vest, sports shoes and carrying a black rucksack.

Several government departments have been conducting search operations over the past five days near West Buffalo Hill, but there has been no trace of him.

Police officers, firefighters, Civil Aid Service and High-Rise Search Team members continued the joint-search operation on the mountain along Mui Tsz Lam in the direction of Mau Ping yesterday. Medical personnel were also on standby.

According to the Countryside Volunteer Search Team, Ning called his family three days after he went missing. He indicated he was barely able to stand and in need of water.

He was unable to report his location, with as being surrounded by woods.

CVST members also used a drone to search for Ning's phone signal to no avail.

The CVST also uploaded a selfie Ning took in front of a signpost at 4 pm Wednesday that showed him at West Buffalo Hill

The search team appealed to hikers to pay attention to any calls for help, and make sure it is safe before providing assistance.

"Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Ning or may have seen him are urged to contact the regional missing persons unit of Kowloon East by phone or email, or contact any police station," said the police.