Search for missing man suspended overnight

UPDATE: Search and rescue teams have tonight temporarily suspended their search for Yass farmer Leonard Watkinson, who went missing on Monday afternoon.

They spent their third day today scouring five dams on the Manton property where Mr Watkinson went missing on Monday afternoon.

There is still no sign of the 60 year-old.

He was last seen by his partner at 10am Monday working near a dam on the Reardons Road property.

Leonard Watkinson has been missing from his Reardons Road property since Monday.

She told police they made plans to have lunch together back at the house at 1pm but he never returned.

A NSW police spokesman said police divers searched five dams on the property yesterday to no avail.

The search zone was also increased beyond the boundaries of his property and into national parkland, widening the area of interest to 100 hectares.

But despite the best efforts of police teams, sniffer dogs, SES crews, PolAir, an Ambulance Helicopter and locals with knowledge of the area, the search has now entered its 52nd hour with no trace of Mr Watkinson.

“Enquiries into Mr Watkinson’s disappearance are continuing,” a NSW Police spokeswoman told Scoop tonight.

“Today’s search involved the Hume Local Area Command, Goulburn rescue squad and local SES, who continued to focus on Mr Watkinson’s property and surrounding national parkland,” she said.

The area is covered by medium to dense bushland, which may be hampering search efforts, although the warmer weather was welcome.

The search has now been suspended overnight and will resume again in the morning.

They area appealing to anyone who might have information about the disappearance to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Leonard Watkinson has been missing from his Reardons Road property in Manton since Monday. The search area today expanded to surrounding national parklands. GRAPHIC: Katharyn Brine

Read Scoop’s original breaking story here.