Man feared drowned after swimming after drifting boat in Lake Wanaka

Friday, 15 December 2017

A man is feared drowned after he swam out to retrieve a drifting boat in Lake Wanaka.

A police spokesman said emergency services were called to Stevensons Island, in the lake, about noon on Friday.

The spokesman said initial reports indicated someone had drowned.

In a statement, police said a man got into trouble in the water just off Stevensons Island.

Another person swam out to help him, but could not find him.

Local boaties, Coastguard, Land Search and Rescue volunteers and a helicopter with paramedics on board searched.

The Police National Dive Squad would arrive at Wanaka about midday on Saturday to search.