Police dive squad to take over search for missing jet boater on West Coast
Saturday, 18 May 2019
The search for a missing jet boater on the West Coast wound up on Saturday evening, and the police dive squad will take over on Sunday.
The man was swept away after a jet boat crash on the Taramakau River, on Friday.
A Greymouth Search and Rescue Facebook post said Landsar, Coastguard and Kotuku lifesaving members with four jet boats searched the Taramakau River and river banks during Saturday.
Quad bikes also searched the beach.
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Unfortunately, nothing had been found, the post said.
'Lets (sic) hope the police dive squad can find something tomorrow.
'Huge thanks to everyone who came along to pitch in great combined effort (sic)'
The search focused on the Taramakau River between the Taramakau bridge and Kumara-Inchbonnie Rd near Kumara.
A police spokeswoman said officers were called to the scene, about 1 kilometre upstream from the William Stewart bridge, about 2.25pm on Friday.
Ahaura Helicopters pilot Heath Bagnall was able to rescue one man involved in the jet boat crash, but was unable to reach the other man before he was swept away.
Bagnall flew his helicopter to the middle of the river, and his crewmate leaned out to try and grab the man, but he went under the water before they could reach him.
Jet boats, the Coastguard and search and rescue had been searching the water on Friday, but were stood down at dark.
St John spokesman Gerard Campbell said one person was taken to Grey Base Hospital by ambulance in a moderate condition, likely with hypothermia.