Grocer recalls encounter with missing constable as search continues

The police officer missing in Sai Kung Country Park was last seen at Tai Long Sai Wan on Sunday, where he made a call in a grocery store about 90 minutes before his emergency call for help.

News of the sighting emerged yesterday as the search for 45-year-old Constable Ting Li-wah, involving more than 100 rescue personnel, went into its fifth day.

'He [Constable Ting] looked fine although he appeared to be tired. He was not sweating badly or looking very exhausted,' grocer Lai Yan said yesterday. 'He was wearing a black backpack and he was holding something like a mobile phone.'

Constable Ting entered the shop alone and asked Mr Lai whether he could use his phone. Mr Lai said yes before going to the kitchen to cook noodles.

Tai Long Sai Wan is about 5km from Tai Tan, where Constable Ting is believed to have made the 999 call for help about 1.30pm on Sunday before he lost contact with rescue personnel.

The constable, who went hiking alone, had gone when the grocer came back from the kitchen about a minute later. The constable did not buy anything at the store.

'I recognised him because his beige trousers gave me a deep impression. Most of my clients wear shorts and sportswear. And also he was bald,' Mr Lai said.