Gregory Vaughn, 72, and Kim Worner, 66, identified as couple on board a light plane that vanished over the Bass Strait

A Tasmanian couple who are missing after their light plane took off from the state’s north coast then failed to arrive at their destination three days ago have been identified. Gregory Vaughan, 72, his partner Kim Worner, 66, and their dog Molly, have not been seen or heard from since their green Bristell S-LSA aircraft took off from George Town airport about 12.45pm on Saturday. The plane was scheduled to arrive in central NSW later that day but never landed, prompting family and friends to raise the alarm. Tasmanian Police inspector Nick Clark said the missing couple had not been in contact with anyone or aviation authorities since they left George Town. A police helicopter search of Tasmania’s north coastline between George Town and Turners Beach on Tuesday failed to locate any sighting of the plane. Inclement weather and low cloud has complicated search conditions, while boats did not go out on the water due to the rough conditions. Inspector Clark said police would continue searching on Wednesday. “Significant resources have been used in the search and Pol Air will continue to be used over the next two days, at which time the search efforts will be reassessed based on any possible new information that becomes available,” he said. “The longer Gregory and Kim are missing the greater the concerns are for their welfare. “If anyone has information that could assist the search, has seen a plane matching this description, or noticed anything such as unusual debris on land or in the water, they should contact Tasmania Police.”