A search is under way again this morning for a fisherman who was swept off the rocks at Tapotupotu Bay, near Cape Reinga, after crews spent much of the night combing the area without finding him.
The alarm was raised at around 3.20pm yesterday, when emergency services received a call reporting that the man had been knocked into the water while fishing with friends at the remote bay on Northland's east coast. The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched straight away, and as conditions permitted, a number of other agencies joined the operation.
Detective Sergeant Paul Overton, who leads the Northland Police Search and Rescue Team, said the response drew together Police teams, Search and Rescue, Northland Coastguard Air Patrol, Customs, Surf Lifesaving, and the Northern Rescue Helicopter. Together they covered the coastline and surrounding offshore waters until fading light brought operations to a halt.
"This is a particularly remote area and crews searched into the night, however the man was not located," Overton said.
Search teams have returned to the water this morning to continue looking. Overton acknowledged the scale of the multi-agency effort and thanked people living nearby for their help.
"I would like to thank all the agencies that have been involved in the search so far, as well as the locals in the area who have made themselves available to assist – it's very appreciated," he said.
Police have indicated that further updates will be released as more information comes to hand.
